The Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly host the 2020 All-Star Game. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register says the league has already made that decision, and will make the news official Wednesday.
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The 2018 All-Star Game, which will take place at Nationals Park, hasn’t happened yet, but this is how the league operates. All-Star festivities are planned years in advance in order to give each team time to prepare for those days. Progressive Field in Cleveland will host the event in 2019.
Dodger Stadium isn’t exactly known for its ease of transportation, so that could be a significant issue in 2020. At the same time, the Dodgers just hosted the World Series, so at least local fans will know what to expect.
Hosting the game in 2020 should be pretty significant for the franchise. It’s the first time since 1980 they’ve hosted the event. Not only that, but 2020 is the final year of Clayton Kershaw’s contract — assuming the Dodgers keep him around even though he has an opt-out after 2018. If no extension is reached before then, it could represent a sendoff to Kershaw and third baseman Justin Turner.
It also presents the team with an opportunity to get Vin Scully back at the park. Scully has mostly kept his distance from the team since his retirement, so that would present a perfect chance for him to make an appearance. All of this is provided Scully is capable of attending the event. He’ll be 93 years old in 2020.
Back in 1980, fans voted four Dodgers into the starting lineup. Given the team’s success in recent seasons, they could be in line to exceed that figure once 2020 rolls around.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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