A Guide To 2013 MLB All-Star Week In New York
The last time the MLB All-Star Game came to the Big Apple was back in 2008, during the final season at the old Yankee Stadium -- but it's been much longer since Queens played host to the time-honored tradition. In fact, the All-Star Game hasn't been played at the home of the Mets since Shea Stadium's inaugural season in 1964. But that all changes next week, when the event comes to Citi Field for the first time, with days full of festivities set to culminate in the 84th MLB All-Star Game. The Big Apple is getting decked out in celebration, with 35 MLB-themed "All-Star Apple" statues appearing at notable city landmarks. We've highlighted some of the week's best events, along with ticket information, below. By Julie Parise.
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All-Star FanFest & Kids Day
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 W 34th St
New York, NY 10001
(212) 216-2000
AllStarGame.com
Friday, July 12 - Tuesday, July 16
Families and fanatics will find fun at the Javits Center, where All-Star Week kicks off with the world's largest interactive baseball theme park. Events will take place all week here, with all attractions included with the price of admission. From Friday to Tuesday, legendary members of the Mets will host baseball clinics and take photos with fans. Just some of the All-Stars making appearances at the various events are members of the 1969 Mets -- Ed Charles, Bud Harrelson, Cleon Jones, Ed Kranepool, Amos Otis, Joe Pignatano and Art Shamsky -- and members of the 1986 Mets, including Sid Fernandez, George Foster, Dwight Gooden, Howard Johnson, Barry Lyons, Kevin Mitchell, Jesse Orosco, Rafael Santana, Darryl Strawberry, Tim Teufel and Mookie Wilson.
MLB All-Star 5K and Fun Run
Prospect Park
AllStarGame.com/Run
Saturday, July 13
Major League Baseball is teaming up with New York Road Runners (NYRR) in Brooklyn's Prospect Park for the All-Star 5K & Fun Run. This event will feature mascots, celebrities and baseball legends including Frank Robinson, Tony La Russa, Gooden, members of the '86 Mets and members of the '69 Mets. The 5K race will count as one of NYRR's 9+1 qualification races, and the 1.5 mile Fun Run is a great way to enjoy the All-Star festivities with the whole family. All participants will receive an exclusive All-Star 5K & Fun Run T-shirt. MLB will contribute 100 percent of race net proceeds to Sandy relief.
2013 MLB All-Star Charity Concert
Central Park's Great Lawn
AllStarGame.com/Concert
Saturday, July 13
MLB hit a high note with the line-up for this year's All-Star Charity Concert. The event, benefiting Sandy relief, will star Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic, with special guest appearance by multiple Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey on July 13. Fans can obtain free general admission tickets at AllStarGame.com/Concert or NYCGO.com. Fans who have tickets can enter on Central Park West & West 72nd street (Western general admission) or 5th Avenue and East 72nd street (Eastern general admission). Gates open at 3:00 p.m.. No backpacks, alcohol, glass or metal containers, pets or blankets are permitted. A full list of prohibited and acceptable items is available here.
All-Star Futures Game
Citi Field
123-01 Roosevelt Ave
New York, NY 11368
(718) 507-6387
AllStarGame.com
Sunday, July 14
The All-Star Futures Game features the top minor-league prospects competing in a nine-inning contest as part of All-Star Sunday. MLB, along with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 major league clubs selected the 25 players on each roster. In 2012, 30 major league All-Stars were alumni of the Futures Game, including Bryce Harper, Evan Longoria and Jason Heyward. The game will begin at 2:00 p.m. and can be viewed live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.com.
All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game
Citi Field
123-01 Roosevelt Ave
New York, NY 11368
(718) 507-6387
AllStarGame.com
Sunday, July 14, 5:30 p.m.
This year's All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game is beaming with stars -- and star talent. WFAN's own Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton will join the likes of Chris Rock, Kevin James, Ashanti and George Lopez as Mets and Baseball Hall of Fame legends also take the field for the event. Rickey Henderson will be there, as will former Bomber and American League co-captain Bernie Williams. (Carton is the other AL captain). Former Mets star John Franco will co-captain the National League team with Esiason. Tickets for the Taco Bell All-Star Sunday can be purchased at AllStarGame.com, mets.com, the Citi Field box office or by calling 1-888-FanFest (326-3378).
Home Run Derby
Citi Field
123-01 Roosevelt Ave
New York, NY 11368
(718) 507-6387
Monday, July 15
The American League, led by Robinson Cano, and the National League, led by David Wright, will battle it out at the 2013 Home Run Derby. Wright, who was the runner-up in the 2006 Home Run Derby, has 13 home runs on the season, and his 217 career home runs rank third on the Mets' all-time list behind Strawberry (252) and Mike Piazza (204). The event will raise funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and MLB's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. Cano won the event in 2011 in Phoenix, while Wright will be participating for the first time since his memorable performance in 2006. The event will be broadcast on ESPN.
All-Star Game Red Carpet Show
42nd Street between 6th and 3rd Avenues
Tuesday, July 16th
At this exciting, free event, MLB All-Stars from the New York Mets and every other Major League Baseball team will travel across New York City's 42nd Street in open-air Chevrolet vehicles prior to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. The players will start at Bryant Park on 42nd Street & 6th Ave and proceed on a giant red carpet -- past Grand Central Station and ending at 42nd Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. The party kicks off at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to feature all of the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Stars.
84th MLB All-Star Game
Citi Field
123-01 Roosevelt Ave
New York, NY 11368
(718) 507-6387
Tuesday, July 16th
All these events lead up to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. Wright and Cano will start the game, and pitchers Matt Harvey and Mariano Rivera are also on the squads. "Getting a little taste of what an All-Star Game is like in New York, playing in the Bronx a few years ago, it's revved up," Wright said. "It's above and beyond, and that's no offense to other All-Star Game hosts, but there's nothing that's comparable to playing in an All-Star Game in New York. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
