For the first time since 1968, the New York Yankees will take the field in Mexican soil. The Major League Baseball announced on Friday that the Bronx Bombers will be suiting up against Los Diablos Rojos del México on March 24 and 25, finishing its Spring Training sessions before the season begins on the 28th.
The games will be played at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium and mark the first international trip by the Yankees since 2014, when they visited Panama for a two-game exhibition at the request of Panama-native and Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera.
This time around, Los Diablos Rojos were the ideal opponent for the Yankees given that they both hold the largest number or titles in their respective leagues (Diablos Rojos have 16 while the Yankees have 27).
The games will be held almost 26 years after the last time the Yankees played in Mexico City ( March 18 and 20, 1968). To put that timeframe into perspective, it was the last year that Mickey Mantle wore pinstripes. Back then, the two teams split the result, with Los Diablos winning the first encounter 5-3 and the Yankees getting payback in the second outing by a 9-1 score.
The New York Yankees and the Diablos Rojos del México today announced they will hold a historic two-game exhibition series at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City. The games are scheduled for Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 2, 2024
Ticket sale information will be provided at… pic.twitter.com/qkNSBN7W5Z
It's worth pointing out that the New York Yankees have three players with Mexican roots on its current roster: reliever Victor González, catcher Jose Trevino and outfielder Alex Verdugo. Overall, Mexicans (24) represent the fifth country with the most active players in the Major Leagues behind the United States, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba.
The games in Mexico are part of a larger initiative by Major League Baseball to expand their global reach. In 2024, as part of their MLB World Tour, the league will be hosting games in Seoul (March 20-21), London (June 8-9) and Santo Domingo (March 9-10), besides an in-season series to be played in Mexico City between the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
