Report: 2000 All Star Game Moved

Major League Baseball reportedly has moved the site of the 2000 All-Star Game from Miami to Atlanta.

ESPN is reporting the new ownership group of the Marlins, headed by commodities trader John Henry, wants out of hosting the All-Star Game while it pursues a new facility to replace Pro Player Stadium.

The cable network also is reporting the Braves have agreed to host the game at Turner Field, which opened for baseball in 1997. Atlanta last hosted an All-Star Game in 1972 at Fulton County Stadium.

Officials for Major League Baseball were not immediately available for comment, but Marlins spokesperson Ron Colangelo denied the report.

"We still plan to host the game," Colangelo said. "We have not been told otherwise."

The decision to move the game would save a potentially embarrassing scenario for baseball in which it would be staging one of its marquee events in a facility considered inferior by the host team.

The Marlins also have undergone a fire sale since winning the World Series in 1997 in just their fifth year of existence. After unloading most of its quality players, the Marlins finished with a 54-108 record, the worst-ever record by a defending World Series champion.

Henry recently reached an agreement to purchase the Marlins from Wayne Huizenga for $150 million in cash and another $8 million to help refurbish Pro Player Stadium. The deal must still be approved by three-quarters of the National League and half of the American League owners. Henry has stated his desire to eventually have a new baseball-only stadium for the Marlins.

The 1999 All-Star Game will be played in Boston.

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