Nationals Park announced as host of the 2018 MLB All-Star Game

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is in the nation's capital today to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch before the Washington Nationals' season opener against the New York Mets in Nationals Park.

Before today's game, however, the tenth Commissioner of Major League Baseball made a major announcement, officially confirming what had been rumored for months now.

"Let me not bury the lede," Commissioner Manfred said as he stood at a podium in a packed Nats Park's media room. "I am here today to announce that the 2018 All-Star Game has been awarded to the Washington Nationals."

"Everybody at Major League Baseball is thrilled that the nation's capital will be the host to the 89th Midsummer Classic," the Commissioner continued. "The game will take place a decade after the beautiful park here was opened. Nationals Park has already hosted a postseason, but we think the All-Star Game will be another opportunity to showcase this fantastic facility."

"I want to commend Ted Lerner, the entire Lerner Family and the District of Columbia for putting together just a great bid for the 2018 All-Star Game," Manfred said. "The All-Star Game has become a very competitive process and the District of Columbia's bid along with the Nationals was truly compelling. I also want to thank the fans here in D.C., in case we thought there was a lack of interest, the #DCisReady campaign convinced us that was not the case."

@MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made it official. #Nats Park will host the 2018 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/s6Pi8bybuG

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) April 6, 2015

"The game in 2018 will be the fifth All-Star Game in Washington," Manfred continued.

"The All-Star Game was played at Griffith [Stadium] in 1937 and 1956 and was played at RFK Stadium in 1962 and 1969. The game in 2018 will be the fourth in a row hosted by a National League city. This is part of our ongoing effort to make the bidding process for the All-Star Game as competitive as possible. And we've moved away from the American League, National League rotation."

Principal Owner Mark D. Lerner spoke at today's press conference too, representing the Lerner Family at the event.

"On behalf of the baseball fans of the Washington, D.C. area, the entire Washington Nationals organization and our family," Mr. Lerner said, "I want to thank Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball for awarding the 2018 All-Star Game to Washington, D.C."

It's three years away, but it's a big day for baseball in the nation's capital.

The All-Star Game is coming to Nationals Park in 2018.

Jayson Werth, on the Nationals getting the 2018 All-Star Game: "It's a sign to the world, to baseball, that this place is for real."

— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) April 6, 2015