Cleveland wants to rock 2019 event

Cleveland’s rock ‘n’ roll roots will be on display for the 2019 All-Star Game.

Inspired by the city’s deep musical history, the Indians unveiled the logo for next year’s game: a red-white-and-blue guitar with a body bordered with baseball stitching.

The Indians will be hosting the annual midseason event for a record sixth time. Next year’s game, to be played July 9, coincides with the 25th anniversary of Progressive Field, which was known as Jacobs Field when Cleveland hosted the 1997 All-Star Game.

Major League Baseball Deputy Commissioner Tony Petitti, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Indians owner Paul Dolan, manager Terry Francona, All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and first-base coach Sandy Alomar, who hit the game-winning home run for the American League in ’97, attended Tuesday’s ceremony that officially began the countdown to next year’s game. Plans for the logo began shortly after the city was awarded the game.

Cleveland, which also hosted All-Star Games in 1935, 1954, 1963 and 1981, has long been considered the birthplace of rock music after local disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term “rock ‘n’ roll.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened one year after Jacobs Field, and the two structures have been linked to the city’s downtown rebirth.

The Indians and MLB officials have met with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame about being incorporated into festivities around next year’s game.

“You can see from the logo what we think the tie-in should be in Cleveland,” Petitti said. “We try to do something unique in every market we’re in, so music is what you can expect to see in 2019.”