Outside of games in Canada, this series was the first time the Cardinals had played outside of the U.S.GETTY IMAGES
The Cardinals and Reds concluded a two-game series in Monterrey, Mexico last night, and Reds players noted they would "welcome the opportunity to play in more international games," according to Bobby Nightengale of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. The Reds expressed to MLB that the franchise was "interested in playing games in Latin American countries and it eventually led to them becoming the 'home' team this weekend." Reds manager David Bell "noticed a 'vibe' in the dugout" before the first game at Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey on Saturday and players "enjoyed their new environment." Reds OFs said that fans "yelled their names throughout the game." There was also a "long fireworks display" after the final out Saturday. Bell said the two games had a "different buzz" to them. There was "loud cheering and chants, and even the wave, but there weren't any drums or other musical instruments playing" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 4/15). In St. Louis, Derrick Goold noted a "festive crowd" of 16,886 was in attendance on Saturday. The stands were "dotted with Cardinals merchandise" and the crowd "got louder" as the game progressed. Beer sales "didn't stop -- and still hadn't as a concert and party lasted at the ballpark at least 90 minutes after" the end of the game. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt described the ballpark as a "fun place" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/14).
EXPANDING THEIR BRAND: The POST-DISPATCH's Goold wrote with this weekend's Mexico Series and "pursuits of other international and alternative sites for the games, the Cardinals have become more aggressive to expand the regional brand that defined so much of their history." Outside of Toronto and Montreal, the Cardinals had "not ventured beyond the border until Saturday." Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said, "It's a unique opportunity to recognize that our fans are more than just regional-based." Goold noted the Cardinals have "shown a willingness to give up a home series to travel abroad, and they are favorites to play the Cubs in London" in '20. The team has also expressed to MLB an "interest in traveling to Puerto Rico in the near future" so that C Yadier Molina "could play on his home island." Meanwhile, the Cardinals have "added to their Spanish-language coverage" this season. Their Spanish broadcast team of Bengie Molina and Polo Ascensio "called a road game" for the first time Saturday. The pair will "broadcast 53 games this season -- a new high" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/14).
