Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: March 24, 2024, 00:30 IST
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For the New York Yankees, their first journey south of the border in additional than 50 years in all probability means nothing past two exhibition video games, however for a lot of Mexican followers and the host staff, Diablos Rojos, the go to of the most well-liked staff within the nation is a dream come true.
MEXICO CITY: For the New York Yankees, their first journey south of the border in additional than 50 years in all probability means nothing past two exhibition video games, however for a lot of Mexican followers and the host staff, Diablos Rojos, the go to of the most well-liked staff within the nation is a dream come true.
The Yankees performed in Mexico in 1968 once they cut up the two-game exhibition collection within the extinct Parque Delta.
Management from the Diablos Rojos stated they hoped to get an opportunity to do it once more after that, however it wasn’t till Omar Minaya was employed as senior adviser for baseball operations with the Yankees that the video games turned a actuality.
“Alfredo (Harp Helú, the Diablos owner) is close friends with Omar Minaya and that propelled everything,” stated Othón Díaz, the staff’s president. “We let them know how much it would mean for us to have them here again and they agreed.”
According to the Major League Baseball workplace in Mexico, the Yankees are the most well-liked staff in Mexico, adopted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.
Díaz stated internet hosting a MLB regular-season collection between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants helped their possibilities as a result of the Yankees’ entrance workplace was conscious that Mexico City and the Diablos Rojos have a stadium that would host them.
The $160 million Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium opened in March 2019 and seats 20,000.
“The cornerstone was to have the stadium,” Diaz stated. “You can see everything that has happened since we opened it: A young squad from the San Diego Padres came for the opening day of it and then everything slowed with the coronavirus pandemic, but last year we had a great series with Padres and Giants and now this.”
Even although the ballpark is small in comparison with MLB requirements, the carnival-like ambiance stands out. Last yr, Padres gamers wore Mexican wrestling masks within the dugout and broke a Buzz Lightyear piñata after the video games in opposition to the Giants.
“To have the opportunity to go there, to Mexico, and pitch there, I have a lot of family members there who will have the opportunity to see me pitch,” stated Yankees pitcher Victor Gonzalez, who’s Mexican. “So to wear the Yankee pinstripes and be at home and pitch in front of my family, I think it’s going to be incredible for me.”
Alex Verdugo, one other Mexican participant on the Yankees’ roster, is comfortable to go on the journey south of the border.
“I know how the games are down there; it’s going to be very special,” stated Verdugo, who performed for Mexico within the World Baseball Classic. “I feel blessed and special, this series will remain in my heart forever.”
Tickets for the video games bought out a month in the past in lower than an hour, and costs within the resale market vary from $130 within the bleachers to $2,000 behind dwelling plate.
“To me the price is reasonable; it’s not every day that you can watch your two favorite teams playing against each other,” stated Armando Arce, a 45-year-businessman who bought a $250 ticket for Sunday’s sport.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
