The Astros and Padres this weekend will play two exhibition games in Mexico City, and MLB "hopes they will gain attention in Mexico, and traction beyond then as well," according to Jim Caple of ESPN.com. MLB Senior VP/Growth, Strategy & Int'l Chris Park said, "This is the first time in over a decade that we have played games in Mexico City. Hopefully, this is just the first taste of being a regular presence in Mexico City and across the country." Caple noted in addition to this weekend's games, the league on Thursday announced it is "opening an office in Mexico City this year." MLB also has a deal with Mexico-based net Televisa to "broadcast a major league game nationwide every Saturday during the regular season." It is "all part of a goal to expand baseball's presence in Mexico." Roughly a dozen players "born in Mexico played" in the majors last season. Park said, "We're looking to have a more structured, more consistent relationship with the fans. Certainly some of our franchises have a real heritage with Mexican fans -- the Dodgers, the Astros, the Padres. Unlike in some other countries around the world, we're not looking at a real uphill battle. There is a very strong base not only of baseball fans in Mexico, but of MLB" (ESPN.com, 3/24). MLB.com's Mark Newman noted Mexico City is the "sixth and newest MLB office" outside the U.S., joining Beijing; London; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Sydney; and Tokyo. Rodrigo Fernández will serve as MLB Mexico Managing Dir and will "manage local business and market development" (MLB.com, 3/24).
