The Padres open a three-game stint on Friday at Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey as part of MLB's Mexico Series, and the team is "looking at ways to expand their reach and win fans over in places beyond their figurative backyard," according to Eric Gomez of ESPN.com. Padres Senior VP/Community & Military Affairs Tom Seidler said, “We want to become the team of Mexico. Historically, there’s been a focus on Tijuana and Baja California. But we want to keep growing.” The Dodgers, who will be the opponent in Monterrey, are "just one team the Padres will need to overtake not just on the diamond, but also in popularity, to reach their objectives south of the border." To become Mexico's team, the Padres "still have their work cut out." A recent study conducted by MLB "ranks the Padres as Mexico's eighth-most-popular team." Though the Padres are the "closest big league team to the Mexican border, affinity for the Dodgers stems in large part due to the club’s association" with former MLBer Fernando Valenzuela, a native of Navojoa, Mexico. After MLB announced annual games in Mexico through '21, Seidler and the Padres are "hoping they can be a consistent part of proceedings south of the border." Seidler said, “If we could be a part of those games in Mexico, regardless of where they’re played -- Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City or elsewhere -- that would be tremendous” (ESPN.com, 5/3).
ZERO-SUM GAME: In San Diego, Kevin Acee noted the Padres "gave up a series at Petco Park against the team that draws better than any other of its regular opponents." The price of full-season tickets were reduced, but fans "will miss out on seeing the Dodgers on a weekend this season, as their only remaining visit to San Diego is a midweek series in July" (SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.com, 5/3).
LAYING DOWN ROOTS: In L.A., J.P. Hoornstra noted the series marks the "first regular-season games in Mexico" since '99, and the "first to involve the Dodgers." The weekend in Monterrey is scheduled to include a "Fan Fest with interactive activities ranging from batting cages to virtual reality exhibits" and a "youth baseball clinic in collaboration with the local Mexican League team." There will also be a "game between two local Little League-affiliated teams." The Rockies’ and Twins’ mascots "will visit a local children’s hospital, whose patients will attend all three games of the series." There are "many reasons why the league is treating these three games as more than just three games." Mexican fans "might want a major league team" in their country one day and "rolling out the red carpet, and showcasing MLB’s regular-season product, is a good way for the league to gauge just how much interest exists." Former MLBer Ismael Valdez , who will be an analyst on ESPN Deportes for the games, said, “We have to be sold out. We have to send a strong sign to MLB that we want an MLB team in the near future. ... Not just a three-game series. Permanently.” Hoornstra noted this weekend "will be the first of six regular-season series that the league plans to stage in Mexico over the next four seasons" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/3).
