MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is working to finalise a two-game series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at London’s Olympic Stadium on 29 and 30 June 2019, the sport’s first regular-season games in Europe.
“I’ve never been to London,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So, if that’s true, maybe I’m going to London. Anytime you can grow our game, I think that’s a pretty cool thing.”
Baseball officials have long hoped for games on London and settled last year on the Olympic Stadium, which is in its second season as West Ham’s home ground.
Because it originally was built for a 400-metre track, it is wider than other large stadiums in the London area and can best accommodate the dimensions of a baseball field.
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The Red Sox have the option of having both games be Boston home games, a person familiar with the planning told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because no announcement had been made.
“This is something the two clubs have discussed for years with MLB and hopefully it will become a reality,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in an email to The Associated Press.
MLB chose the June window because it is after the Premier League season and before the stadium must be made available for summer track and field events. MLB hopes to make an announcement within the next two months.
Each player would get $60,000 for participating in the games, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
“I think it would be a lot of fun, to be honest,” Yankees first baseman Greg Bird said. “I think the travel would be interesting, how they set that up.”
MLB is playing regular-season games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Monterrey, Mexico, this year.
– Ronald Blum, AP
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Two of baseball's biggest rivals, the Yankees and Red Sox, could meet in London next summer
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is working to finalise a two-game series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at London’s Olympic Stadium on 29 and 30 June 2019, the sport’s first regular-season games in Europe.
“I’ve never been to London,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So, if that’s true, maybe I’m going to London. Anytime you can grow our game, I think that’s a pretty cool thing.”
Baseball officials have long hoped for games on London and settled last year on the Olympic Stadium, which is in its second season as West Ham’s home ground.
Because it originally was built for a 400-metre track, it is wider than other large stadiums in the London area and can best accommodate the dimensions of a baseball field.
The Red Sox have the option of having both games be Boston home games, a person familiar with the planning told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because no announcement had been made.
“This is something the two clubs have discussed for years with MLB and hopefully it will become a reality,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in an email to The Associated Press.
MLB chose the June window because it is after the Premier League season and before the stadium must be made available for summer track and field events. MLB hopes to make an announcement within the next two months.
Each player would get $60,000 for participating in the games, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
“I think it would be a lot of fun, to be honest,” Yankees first baseman Greg Bird said. “I think the travel would be interesting, how they set that up.”
MLB is playing regular-season games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Monterrey, Mexico, this year.
– Ronald Blum, AP
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UFC still not ruling out Dublin return in 2018 despite Liverpool detour
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