6 reasons why you'll want to attend All-Star Week
All-Star Week is nearly upon us, and what an exciting few days it will be in Los Angeles. From All-Star Saturday, which features future stars of the game and Hollywood celebrities taking the field at Dodger Stadium, to the always incredible Home Run Derby and the Midsummer Classic itself, you don’t want to miss all of the festivities.
Here are six reasons you’ll absolutely want to be there to take everything in:
1) The stars will be out in Hollywood for the Midsummer Classic
For the first time in 42 years, the All-Star Game will be played at Dodger Stadium. That’s fitting because the No. 42 holds special significance in Dodgers history, not to mention baseball history and American history -- it’s the number that was worn by the great Jackie Robinson, who broke the game’s color barrier in 1947, and whose number is retired across the Major Leagues.
A land of movie stars will play host to baseball’s biggest stars on July 19, with the best of the best taking the field for the 92nd Midsummer Classic. Don’t miss witnessing history as Los Angeles hosts MLB’s jewel summer event for the third time -- prior to this year, the All-Star Game was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1959, and at Dodger Stadium 1980. The Dodgers also hosted the game once during their Brooklyn days at Ebbets Field, in 1949.
New memories and unforgettable moments will be forged at the 60-year-old Dodger Stadium, adding to a rich lore that includes Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Fernandomania in 1980, and of course, Kirk Gibson’s improbable walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Two moments that are sure to be memorable will take place when Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, two future Hall of Fame sluggers who will soon retire, are introduced as legacy selections to the All-Star rosters. It's primed to be a grand culmination of all the must-see All-Star festivities on tap.
2) Tinseltown? More like Tatertown
Some of the most exciting, heart-pounding drama outside of the postseason has come from the ever-popular Home Run Derby, and this year’s event promises to be epic when star sluggers take aim at the Dodger Stadium stands on July 18.
The possibilities of sluggers launching homers that leave us with jaws agape are endless: Will Pete Alonso return to the competition and become the first person to win three straight Derby crowns? How about Rafael Devers for the first time? Other possibilities include Ronald Acuña Jr., Yordan Alvarez and many more. It’s a can’t-miss event, one that you’ll want to say you witnessed live.
3) Legacies lead the way on Draft day
The MLB Draft is always a highly anticipated event, but this year, it could be historic -- the top two picks could each be the son of a former MLB star, as Druw Jones (son of five-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner Andruw Jones) and Jackson Holliday (son of seven-time All-Star slugger Matt Holliday) enter the Draft as the top two prospects per MLB Pipeline.
With the All-Star Game around the corner, future All-Stars -- and potentially even future Hall of Famers -- will hear their names called in a life-changing moment. The three-day event takes place from July 17-19 at the Xbox Live Plaza at L.A. Live and is open to all fans. Come watch tomorrow’s stars officially begin their professional journeys.
4) The future is now
All-Star Saturday, July 16, will be packed with events to kick off All-Star week in Los Angeles, and at 4 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium, future stars will take the field at Dodger Stadium in the annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
The game will feature 31 of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects, including the top two picks from last year’s MLB Draft, catcher Henry Davis (first overall to the Pirates) and right-hander Jack Leiter (second overall to the Rangers). And a couple of familiar names will be managing the two teams -- former catcher and two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers, Mike Scioscia, will manage the NL squad, and former star shortstop and 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins will manage the AL squad.
Don’t miss your chance to see the future on display at Dodger Stadium as players in this game prepare to make names for themselves in the big leagues.
5) Hollywood means celebrities galore … playing softball!
Each year during All-Star weekend, the Celebrity Softball Game gives us a chance to watch some of the most recognizable people on the planet take their shot at glory on the diamond. The MGM Rewards All-Star Celebrity Softball Game will take place on Saturday after the Futures Game concludes, and it’s your chance to see some of the biggest names from screen and stage take the field at Dodger Stadium.
6) Legends await at Play Ball Park
Capital One Play Ball Park will be the place to be if you want to meet and get autographs from some of the greatest players in Major League history. It takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center and runs from July 16-19. There will also be games, activities and other attractions such as the Gaming Zone, where you can play MLB The Show ’22 on the latest game consoles, and a Home Run Derby virtual reality experience. Oh, and don’t miss -- how could you miss it? -- the world’s largest baseball.
The baseball and softball legends scheduled to be on hand this year include Eric Davis, Andre Dawson, Lisa Fernandez, Jennie Finch, Rollie Fingers, Steve Garvey, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Fergie Jenkins, Fred Lynn, Tim Raines, Jimmy Rollins, Bill Russell, CC Sabathia, Lee Smith, Dave Stewart, Natasha Watley, Dave Winfield and many more.
For more information on all of the events taking place during All-Star week in Los Angeles, as well as tickets, be sure to visit https://www.mlb.com/all-star/tickets.