Orioles All-Star Presence Revs Up Interest in the Midsummer Classic

The 2013 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby is in the books, and the All-Star game is on deck.

National League and American League All-Stars will face off in the annual summer classic at 8 p.m. tonight, and there will be plenty for Baltimore Orioles fans to cheer about.

For the first time since 1997, five Orioles will play in the game, with three starters—first baseman Chris Davis, outfielder Adam Jones and shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Davis was MLB's top All-Star vote-getter, with more than 8.2 million votes cast for him by fans across the country.

Third baseman Manny Machado and pitcher Chris Tillman were named as reserve players. Tillman was a last-minute substitute when pitcher Jason Verlander became unable to play in the game. Verlander, who plays for the Detroit Tigers, pitched for his team Sunday and won't be ready to pitch again tonight.

Washington Nationals fans have starting outfielder Bryce Harper and pitcher Jordan Zimmerman on the reserve roster to cheer for.

The summer classic excitement started Monday night with the Home Run Derby, with Davis and Harper participating.

Davis, baseball's leading home run hitter with 37 at the mid-season break, was eliminated in the semi-finals after hitting 12 balls out of the park in two rounds.

Harper advanced to the finals with a total of 16 home runs in the first two rounds, and lost to Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics by a final round tally of 9-8.

With a huge Orioles presence in tonight's game, excitement is running high, with more interest in the game than usual.

Around Dundalk, a couple of bars and restaurants are offering special deals and an air-conditioned environment in which to watch the game.

Donna's Tavern and Restaurant at 6607 Pine Avenue is offering a variety of food and drink specials, including a pound of Natty Boh steamed shrimp for $9.99 and the "Poor Man's Land and Sea" (a half-pound of steamed shrimp and six chicken wings) for $11.99.

Adult beverage specials include Bud Crown bottles and Pine Avenue punch shooters for $1 throughout the evening and $1 domestic canned beers for $1 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Costas Inn (4100 North Point Boulevard) is offering $5 orange crushes and $2 Natty Bohs. Hungry fans can enjoy a rib dinner with cole slaw and French fries for $13.95 and steamed crabs are available.

The game starts at 8 p.m. on Fox, but a full MLB All-Star Game television schedule is in place.

Know of any other places around town with specials tonight? Tell us in the comments.