MINNEAPOLIS — Standing in 90-degree sunshine Wednesday on Target Field's right field plaza, Commissioner Bud Selig acknowledged that it really wasn't a tough decision awarding the Minnesota Twins the 2014 All-Star Game.

The only wrinkle in the Twins' four-year-long quest to land the event came when the Ricketts family bought the Cubs in 2009 and requested the 2014 All-Star Game as a tie in with the 100th anniversary season at Wrigley Field.

But with the Mets playing host in 2013, that would have meant back-to-back All-Star Games in National League ballparks. It also would have forced the Twins to wait even longer.

"Given the history, given what's happened here with the ballpark, everything else, it was really pretty easy," Selig said. "I just don't like to do this (formal announcement) too soon, but I knew a long time ago where the 2014 All-Star Game was (heading). It's coming here because it's the right thing to do, and this is the right place to be."

Surrounded by former All-Stars, including Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Paul Molitor and Bert Blyleven, Selig heaped praise on the Twins, especially in their dedication to getting Target Field built.

"This is special to me because of my close professional relationship with (late Twins owner) Carl Pohlad, who is really — as history will someday understand — one of the great owners in American sports, in my generation and in baseball," Selig said.

"It's become one of our game's model franchises," the commissioner added. "And as I said to Paul Molitor, Target Field is just spectacular. Every time I'm here, I just can't tell you how impressive this is."