by Emily Gersema – Jun. 4, 2011
The Arizona Republic
The countdown has begun for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game and FanFest events that begin July 8, and Metro light rail is celebrating early.
The Valley transportation agency on Friday unveiled the new MLB All-Star advertising wraps that visitors and residents will see on the cars of the light-rail trains during the month leading up to the game and fan events.
The All-Star Game is July 12 at Chase Field in Phoenix.
The wraps include images of eight past All-Stars, including Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, who is on the ballot for this season’s All-Star voting and was named All-Star FanFest spokesman earlier this year.
The wraps also feature these players with All-Star credentials: New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki.
Hillary Foose, a spokeswoman for Metro light rail, said that in all, six light-rail cars will display the wraps. All six will be in service by the end of next week. No public money was used for these promotions, she said.