Yankees to host '08 All-Star Game

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

By PETE CALDERA
Bergen County Record

Ever since details to build a new ballpark in the Bronx were finalized, there was a movement to host the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Citing undisclosed major league sources, Espn.com reported Tuesday that the Stadium will indeed host baseball's Midsummer Classic in July of '08 – just nine months before the Yankees' new park opens in 2009.

The Yankees and Major League Baseball had nothing to say officially, although an announcement could be made this week at the owners' meetings in Arizona.

Yankee Stadium hasn't been the site of the All-Star Game since 1977.

Built in 1923, the Stadium – which also hosted All-Star Games in 1939 and 1960 – underwent an extensive two-year renovation before reopening in 1976.

Teams must actively pursue the hosting of an All-Star Game, but neither New York team had shown much interest -- mostly because they were waiting on construction of new ballparks.

Shea Stadium hosted its only All-Star Game in 1964, the year it opened.

The Mets' new park also is scheduled to open in 2009, in the parking lot of the existing stadium. The Yankees' new 51,800-seat home is rising from Macombs Dam Park, across the street from Yankee Stadium.

Construction began Aug. 17.

The Yankees' new ballpark will retain the unique dimensions of the current stadium, while the famous facade roof and the original entrance familiar to the pre-1976 Yankee Stadium will be replicated.

An official announcement for the 2008 All-Star Game site requires satisfaction of MLB's requirements for hotel space, transportation needs and convention center space for the Fan Fest that runs during All-Star week.

Earlier this week, baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced that St. Louis will host the 2009 All-Star Game. San Francisco will host this year's game.

BRIEFS: Reliever Luis Vizcaino and the Yankees agreed to a one-year contract for a reported $3 million, thus avoiding arbitration. The 32-year-old right-hander (4-6, 3.58 ERA, 70 games in 2006) was obtained in the Randy Johnson trade, along with three minor-leaguers. He earned $1.775 million last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Shortstop Chris Basak, 28, was invited to spring training as a non-roster player. Basak, 28, spent the past seven years in the Mets' organization.