Steve Burns
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON – (WMAL) By July 2018, it will have been 49 years since Washington D.C. hosted Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. However, the drought will be coming to an end. On Wednesday, the logo for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game was unveiled, featuring the Capitol Dome surrounded by stars and stripes, marking the beginning of preparations for the game.
“The logo unveiling is the beginning of a 12-month march,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “The All-Star Game used to be a one-day exhibition. It’s now a 5-day celebration of the greatest game in the world.”
Manfred was joined by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who said the game could have a big impact on the city’s bottom line.
“It’s a great opportunity to fill up our hotels, and for people to take advantage of our museums and restaurants,” Bowser said. “We know how to do big events.”
The Nationals featured four All-Stars at the 2017 game in Miami, and they are excited to play host next year. Second baseman Daniel Murphy has some prior experience in the area: He was with the New York Mets when that team hosted in 2013.
“When your organization is blessed enough to host an event like we’ll be able to do next year, it’s kind of like the entire organization gets to rally around this event,” he said.
Right fielder Bryce Harper had a promise to get the crowd excited.
“If I do have the opportunity to play in this All-Star Game next year, I’ll definitely do the Home Run Derby,” he said.
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