This two-game series between the Yankees and Red Sox will mark the first time MLB has come to EuropeGETTY IMAGES
The Yankees and Red Sox will "meet at the London Stadium on June 29 and June 30 next year" in a pair of regular‑season games, marking the "first time MLB has come to Europe," according to Matt Majendie of the London EVENING STANDARD. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who began talks with London Mayor Sadiq Khan over the possible games in '16, is "adamant this is just the beginning." Majendie notes two more games are lined up for '20 at London Stadium -- "potentially between different teams." Manfred said, "We’ve been looking for the right opportunity to come somewhere in Europe. We think that London is the perfect place and we’re excited about bringing over one of the great rivalries." He added that MLB had "assessed other venues in London and was still looking for other possible venues in the capital." But he said London Stadium is "just the right fit for us." It has "larger dimensions as an athletics venue" and is "wider than most other sports stadia in the city." Manfred said that he was "confident both London games would be 55,000 sell-outs" (STANDARD.co.uk, 5/8). The Red Sox will be the "home team for the series" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 5/8).
GROWING THE GAME: YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Cwik notes since becoming commissioner, Manfred has "discussed making the game more appealing to international audiences." He has "worked to make that a reality by scheduling games in events in other countries." The Blue Jays have "continued playing some exhibition games in Montreal each season," the Twins and Indians played a series of games in Puerto Rico earlier this season and MLB sent former All-Stars to London last season to "participate in a Home Run Derby" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/8). USA TODAY's Scott Boeck notes England joins Mexico, Japan, Puerto Rico and Australia as other "international venues to host a major league game." The NFL has "played in London" since '07 (USATODAY.com, 5/8).
FEELS LIKE HOME: FS San Diego’s Jesse Agler talked about the Dodgers-Padres series played in Monterrey, Mexico, last weekend and noted Petco Park "is 14 miles from the border down in Tijuana." He said, "The Padres have always considered at least that part of Mexico, Baja California, to be really a part of their community here in San Diego. To be able to expand that footprint and try to do that in other parts of Mexico is a really exciting opportunity." He said the games were a "party, that’s the word everybody keeps using." Agler: "It was an atmosphere unlike anything I’ve experienced here. It was the flags, it was the chanting, it was the singing, and the lines to get into the ballpark. It made it feel like something other than a three-game series” (“The Rundown,” MLB Network, 5/7).
