NEW YORK, NY – The New York Mets have been awarded Major League Baseball’s 2013 All-Star Game and will host the 84th Midsummer Classic at Citi Field, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today at a press conference at City Hall. Commissioner Selig was joined by the Mayor of New York, the Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, and New York Mets Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Fred Wilpon.

The 2013 All-Star Game will mark the second time that the Mets, who are commemorating their 50th anniversary in 2012, will host the Midsummer Classic. Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 All-Star Game, a 7-4 National League victory that featured 21 participating Hall of Famers, including Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Frank Robinson, as well as MLB’s Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations, Joe Torre. It will be the ninth All-Star Game in Baseball history to be played in New York City, which is the most of any host city.

Commissioner Selig said: “As we celebrate the franchise’s golden anniversary this year, I am pleased to award the 2013 All-Star Game to the New York Mets and their loyal fans. We are delighted to bring the Midsummer Classic to Citi Field, a wonderful ballpark that has carried on the remarkable National League tradition in New York City. The Mets will be superb hosts to next summer’s greatest sporting event.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Selig, it’s a great honor for everyone at the Mets to host the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field,” Wilpon said. “Mets fans and all people in the New York tri-state area and beyond will have the opportunity to take part in the events that Major League Baseball will bring to New York.”

“Next year’s All-Star Game is going to demonstrate once again that there’s no place like New York for world-class sporting events,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Major League Baseball clearly recognizes this, since they’re bringing the All-Star Game back to New York for the second time in just five years.”

The 84th All-Star Game is tentatively scheduled to be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Further details on the history of the Mets and the Midsummer Classic are available in the accompanying Fact Sheet.

FLUSHING, N.Y., May 13, 2012 – The New York Mets today named Mets Hall of Famers Dwight Gooden and Rusty Staub, and Sports Radio 66 WFAN radio personalities Howie Rose and Evan Roberts as judges for Banner Day on Sunday, May 27 prior to the 1:10 p.m. Mets-Padres game at Citi Field.

The judges will select three finalists and then fans texting at the ballpark and at home through Twitter and Facebook will decide the winning banner. The grand prize will be a trip for two to 2013 Mets Spring Training in Port St. Lucie.

The Mets also announced guidelines for the return of Banner Day, a Mets tradition from 1963 to 1996 when fans of all ages paraded around the field with homemade banners that professed their love for the team.

•Banner Day participants must have tickets to the game

•Participants must check in at the Bullpen Plaza on 126th Street at 37th Avenue

•Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. Space is limited.

•Banners must celebrate the Mets 50th Anniversary, expressing fans’ favorite memories or moments in franchise history

•Banners must be at least 22” by 28” in size

•Banners may not contain vulgar or abusive language

•Commercially produced banners are permitted, but banners may not contain commercial messages, web sites or Twitter handles

•Only the fans required to carry each banner will be permitted onto the field, up to a maximum of four.

•The Mets reserve the right to deny access to the field to any banner or person that is deemed inappropriate.

The revival of Banner Day is part of the Mets season-long 50th anniversary celebration that includes a commemorative logo and redesigned uniforms, the launch of the Mets50.com and the Mets 50th Anniversary Alumni Bobblehead Series.

Tickets for Banner Day are on sale now online at Mets.com and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX.

Two New York Mets championship legends, Mookie Wilson and Ron Swoboda, will be greeting fans and signing autographs at the Citibank branch at 90 Park Avenue (between 39th and 40th streets in Manhattan) on Tuesday, May 15th from 12:00-1:30 pm (ET).

The two Mets greats were instrumental in their respective teams drive to World Series championships. Swoboda came out of nowhere for a diving catch of Brooks Robinson’s line drive in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 1969 World Series. The tying run scored on the play, but Swoboda’s catch kept the Orioles from having a big inning and allowed the Mets to rally late and win the pivotal game. The Mets would upset the Orioles in five games and forever be known as the Amazin’s and the Miracle Mets.

Wilson had perhaps the most memorable at-bat in Mets history when during Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, he avoided being hit by a wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score in the bottom of the 10th. His ground ball later in the same at bat went through the legs of Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, allowing the winning run to score. Wilson’s smart at-bat, speed and determination affected the course of the entire series as the Mets went on to win the Series.

Citi Tuesdays is a program designed to provide added value to Citi customers and Mets fans. The promotion, which is taking place during all Mets Tuesday home games at Citi Field, will offer unique experiences and exclusive access to benefits and rewards to fans for simply using their Citi credit or debit card at Citi Field. From savings on tickets and merchandise, to special access to Citi Field’s Acela and Caesars Clubs, there are a variety of offers for fans who are Citi cardholders to enjoy while cheering on the Mets.