(Photo By Flickr User Nekonomist)
According to peoriachiefs.com, earlier this week, the Peoria Chiefs and the Midwest League have announced that the 51st Midwest League All-Star Game will be played at Peoria's Dozer Park on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. This will mark the third time Peoria has hosted a MWL All-Star Game and the second time at the downtown stadium that opened in 2002.
The All-Star Events will get started in Central Illinois on Monday, June 15, 2015 with the game played on Tuesday night at Dozer Park. Numerous events and activities for players and fans are currently being planned and will be announced in the off-season.
Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen says,
"We are excited to welcome the All-Star game back to Central Illinois; we look forward to showing off our new video board and Dozer Park's changes since the last time we hosted in 2005. The players and fans coming to Peoria next June will have a great time with entertainment both on and off the field."
The Chiefs first hosted an All-Star Game at Pete Vonachen Stadium in 1992 (Northern 7, Southern 5). Dozer Park, then known as O'Brien Field, hosted the game in 2005 (Eastern 4, Western 2).
Among the future Major Leaguers to play in those two All-Star Games in Peoria are: Carlos Gonzalez (Oakland Athletics-2008, Colorado Rockies-2009-present), Asdrubal Cabrera (Cleveland Indians-2007–present), Emilio Bonifacio (Arizona Diamondbacks-2007–2008, Washington Nationals-2008, Florida/Miami Marlins-2009–2012, Toronto Blue Jays-2013, Kansas City Royals-2013, Chicago Cubs-2014–present), Dimitri Young (St. Louis Cardinals-1996–1997, Cincinnati Reds-1998–2001, Detroit Tigers-2002–2006, Washington Nationals-2007–2008), Jeff Cirillo (Milwaukee Brewers-1994–1999, Colorado Rockies-2000–2001, Seattle Mariners-2002–2003, San Diego Padres-2004, Milwaukee Brewers-2005–2006, Minnesota Twins-2007, Arizona Diamondbacks-2007), James Baldwin (Chicago White Sox-1995–2001, Los Angeles Dodgers- 2001, Seattle Mariners-2002, Minnesota Twins-2003, New York Mets-2004, Texas Rangers- 2005, Baltimore Orioles-2005), Eric Patterson (Chicago Cubs-2007–2008, Oakland Athletics-2008–2010, Boston Red Sox-2010, San Diego Padres-2011), and Jair Jurrjens (Detroit Tigers-2007, Atlanta Braves-2008–2012, Baltimore Orioles-2013).
