Padres submit bid for All-Star Game

Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game last traveled to San Diego in 1992, bringing Tony Gwynn and Ted Williams onto common ground, two of the city’s greatest icons meeting for the first time.

That July day at Jack Murphy Stadium may never be recreated, but it certainly has been reimagined.

The Padres this week submitted a bid to host an All-Star Game at Petco Park, baseball sources told the U-T.

San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer and City Council members are scheduled to vote Dec. 15 to approve items within the bid. Sources confirmed it is the first official bid submitted by the Padres since the 2004 opening of Petco Park, which replaced Qualcomm Stadium as the club’s home.

Under MLB commissioner Bud Selig, the All-Star Game typically has alternated between American and National League sites. Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park will play host in 2015. In all likelihood, the earliest Petco Park could host an All-Star Game is 2017. Selig is expected to award the 2016 and 2017 games before his scheduled retirement in January.

Besides the Padres, a number of undisclosed teams have submitted bids. In order to bid, a team must first be invited to do so by the commissioner’s office.

In selecting hosts, MLB has leaned toward clubs that make improvements to their stadium.

Earlier this month, the Padres announced left-field renovations in preparation for the 2015 season. The headliner is a new video board that, at roughly 7,600 square feet, will be the largest in the NL and the third-largest in baseball. With construction already underway, other left-field improvements include upgrades to the seating bowl and the addition of social spaces with bar-stool seating. In total, Padres officials say, it is an eight-figure investment.

On a recent conference call with season-ticket holders, Padres president and CEO Mike Dee said, “We’re continuing to work with Major League Baseball and are active in the discussion to bring the All-Star Game to San Diego.”

Selig, during his farewell tour, visited Petco Park in late August. The Padres honored the outgoing commissioner by dedicating the Selig Hall of Fame Plaza, an area behind the Western Metal Supply Co. building.

“I’m working on the All-Star Game,” Selig said at the time. “The only thing I’ll tell you about San Diego is, I like their chances.”