So what will have transpired by the time what Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred called the “one of the worst kept secrets in America" finally comes to fruition?
How many World Series championships will Bryce Harper and the Phillies have won by the time they throw out the first pitch of the 2026 All-Star Game at Citizen’s Bank Park? Will Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Nola or any of his current teammates be there to celebrate with him, the way Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Dave Cash and Bob Boone did along with the lone Phils’ starter Greg “The Bull’ Luzinski when the 1976 mid-season classic was played at the Vet as part of the Bicentennial celebration.
And while we’re at it will any of the other locals will have tasted champagne in the interim? Will the Eagles and Carson Wentz had the same thrill of the ultimate victory as his former backup turned Super Bowl LII MVP, Nick Foles?
Will “The Process’’ have finally paid off in a title for Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Sixers, presumably once Brett Brown becomes the fall guy for their previous failures and someone else takes over their listless ship?
And will Alain Vignault succeed where 17 coaches since the late Fred Shero have failed and help end the Flyers' long Stanley Cup drought?
Or will they all have a seven-year itch, still thirsting for the kind of thrill ride the Super Bowl champion Eagles gave the city just over a year ago? That, of course, took place a decade after the 2008 Phillies snapped this city’s quarter of a century string of championship futility.
Gazing into his 2026 crystal ball Phillies owner John Middleton admits he really has no idea. “Every year you start out wanting to win and working towards that goal,” said Middleton at yesterday’s official announcement, fittingly set against the backdrop of Independence Hall. “Whether you can reach that goal is impossible to say.”
Speaking of reaching goals, both baseball and the City of Philadelphia hope to really cash in when they start tabulating the receipts for this extravaganza. Playing it the Cradle of Liberty, as part of America’s semi-quincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, will make it special.
Between the popular Fan Fest, merchandising, the Home Run Derby, other extraneous parties and activities that will generate revenue and the game itself, last year’s All-Star week in Washington brought in over $70 million to the area. But those numbers have been fluctuating in recent years, topped by the $191.5 million New York raked in 2013 when the Mets hosted and $148.4 million when it was the Yankees turn in 2008.
Considering Philadelphia generated nearly $56 million when the National League beat the American League, 7-1, in 1996, it’s hard to predict exactly what the jackpot will be for Philly seven years from now.
But Nick DeBenedictis, chairman of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, is confident it will be a bonanza, even if it doesn’t top the haul from the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC). “The DNC was all week,” said DiBenedictis. “The hotels were jam packed and there were 30-40,000 here, so that’s a big one to beat.
“On the other hand the DNC doesn’t bring the same pizzazz as an all-star game and the fact it’s tied in with the 250th Birthday of our nation which happened here in Philadelphia gives us a marketing opportunity that’s unheard of.”
According to DeBenedictis the sheer dollars won’t adequately reflect what it means, especially should there be any championship celebrations in the interim. “What I’m talking about is the just the direct effect of what those three days would be in terms of jobs created and hotels filled,” he explained. “But you saw what it did with the Eagles winning the Super Bowl.’
“We’re still celebrating that. The Phillies hopefully now with Bryce Harper will be perennial division winners if not a World Series winner, which would add to the All-Star Game.”
Harper, while not daring to look seven years ahead, seemed genuinely excited. Having played host last year, winning the Home Run Derby before his home fans in Washington, he knows how juiced it could be here in 2026.
“I’m really happy and excited you guys get to enjoy an All-Star Game,” said Harper, speaking before more than a thousand who turned out on a sun-drenched afternoon, many wearing his jersey, along with scattered Chase Utley, Roy Halladay, John Kruk and Mike Schmidt wannabes. “Just to celebrate this historic announcement is great.
“I’ve been fortunate to be a six-time all-star and there’s nothing more exciting. I am looking forward to it more than ever now in my new hometown.”
Fiery shortstop Larry Bowa, who years later became their manager, was among the six Phillies all-stars from the 1976 and 1996 games played at the Vet who could tell him what to expect. “It was unbelievable,” recalled Bowa, who flew out in his lone at bat against the Angels Frank Tanana in the National League’s 6-0 win. “They introduced the four of us together (Schmidt, Boone, Cash and himself).
“Bull (Luzinski) was starting, so he was introduced separately. But it was the greatest feeling other than winning a World Series. We were facing (Mark) Bird Fidrych who talked to the ball.
“I’ll never forget Pete Rose came up and said ‘I’ll give him something to talk about.’ The first pitch of the game he hit a line drive right over his ear.”
Luzinski had his own memories. “I got choked up at that great reception,” said The Bull, the only Phil voted a starter, along with five members of the Big Red Machine, Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Dave Concepcion and All-Star MVP, George Foster. “Then after Fidrych stopped talking to the ball I popped up.
“But that was probably one of the proudest moment I’ve had here. It’s exciting to have it come back.”
In the 1996 game Ricky Bottalico, the lone Phil, worked a scoreless fifth inning, while hometown product Mike Piazza bashed a three-run homer to take home the MVP. That year the Home Run Derby took place the previous afternoon, with Barry Bonds beating out a field that included Ken Griffey Jr and Mark McGwire.
That's since turned into a Monday night prime time production, which is only growing in stature now that they’re paying players up to $1 million simply to participate. Bowa wonders if by 2026 the ante might be up to $5 million.
Whatever it is, whoever gets chosen to play in the game itself, the sentiment on this day was unanimous Philadelphia will make it memorable, “The all-star game is about the fans,” said Hall of Famer Schmidt. “It’s a celebration of our great game.
“On behalf of the players who played in the games here I want to thank Major League baseball for giving us the opportunity to host this game, celebrate Philadelphia and show people around the world what a great, great city and sports town Philadelphia is.”
Especially if between now and 2026, rather than a seven-year itch, there’s even more to celebrate.
