It’s now official: the Atlanta Braves and SunTrust Park will host the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, as announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred and team officials before last night’s home game.
This marks the third time that Atlanta will host the All-Star Game and it will be the first at SunTrust Park, the club’s home since 2017. Atlanta Stadium held the 1972 Midsummer Classic, in which the Braves’ Hank Aaron hit a two-run homer as part of a 4-3 National League victory. Turner Field hosted the 2000 All-Star Game, in which Most Valuable Player Derek Jeter went 3-for-3 atop the American League lineup en route to the visiting side’s 6-3 win. (Before the Braves moved to Atlanta for the 1966 season, the franchise hosted the All-Star Game twice: 1936 in Boston and 1955 in Milwaukee.)
“Major League Baseball is pleased to award our 2021 All-Star Game to the Braves and the City of Atlanta, which partnered on a compelling All-Star Week bid,” Manfred said. “We look forward to showcasing the best of our sport and the Braves’ new home, SunTrust Park, to a global audience.”
“When we built SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta we envisioned our complex would be the perfect setting for an All-Star Game and we are thrilled to be able to showcase the ballpark, Cobb County and the City of Atlanta to the world,” Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk said. “We would like to thank Commissioner Rob Manfred, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Dan Corso from the Atlanta Sports Council, William Pate from the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cobb County Chairman Mike Boyce and all the Cobb commissioners for their efforts in helping us secure this premiere event for our community.”
“From this year’s Super Bowl to next year’s Final Four, Atlanta knows how to work with its partners to stage the greatest sports events in the world,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Hosting the 2021 All-Star Game is an honor, and nothing could be more fitting for the hometown of the record holder for most All-Star Game selections — the Atlanta Braves’ own Hank Aaron. Thank you to Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball for choosing Atlanta to host what will surely be an All-Star Game for the record books.”
“I congratulate the Atlanta Braves for their vision of SunTrust Park and Battery Atlanta,” said Cobb County Commissioner Chairman Mike Boyce. “Clearly, this will make a tremendous hosting venue for the All-Star Game. We’re delighted with the announcement the All-Star Game is coming to Cobb County and look forward to hosting this event here. We will show the visitors to this county that when they come here they can expect the best and will get the best.”
The Cleveland Indians are set to host the 2019 Midsummer Classic, while the Los Angeles Dodgers will host the 2020 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, the first time the ballpark has hosted an ASG since 1980.
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