The 2008 MLB All-Star Game will be held on July 15, 2008 at Yankee Stadium, the home of the New York Yankees, in The Bronx, NY. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the announcement at New York’s City Hall on January 31, 2007. Even though it’ll be the 4th game hosted at the Stadium and the 8th hosted in NYC, it’ll be the 1st time since 1977 the game was hosted by the Yankees. Many thought it would be held at Yankee Stadium for months; this was moved along by the declaration the 2008 season would be the 84th and final season for this stadium before the Yankees move to the New Yankee Stadium in 2009. So, it was thought to be fitting for the old stadium to host an All-Star Game during its final season.

The very first All-Star Game was held during the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, IL and was Arch Ward’s creation. He was then the sports editor for the Chicago Tribune. It was only meant to be a one-time deal, but its success made it an annual event. The MLB recognized Ward’s contribution in 1962 with the establishment of the “Arch Ward Trophy,” which is given to the most valuable player from the All-Star Game. The last All-Star Game played in a stadium not hosting its 1st All-Star Game was in 1999 at Boston’s Fenway Park. Currently, only three teams have never hosted a game: the Florida Marlins, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Home Run Derby is a contest between home run hitters and has been played the day before the game since 1985. The Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game pits teams with a mixture of former stars from the host team’s past and celebrities from music, TV and movies. It has been held the day before the Home Run Derby since 2001.