Major League Baseball announce 2 huge games for London: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees - TONIGHT, BBC

MLB wrote:The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees will play an historic two-game series in London in 2019, marking the sport's first games ever played in Europe, in the MLB London Series, Major League Baseball (MLB), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and the Mayor of London jointly announced today.

The 2019 series will be played on June 29-30 at London Stadium, the site of the 2012 Olympic Games, which will take on a baseball configuration for the event. The estimated capacity of London Stadium for the series will be 55,000. The United Kingdom will follow other international venues that have hosted regular season Major League games, joining Mexico, Japan, Puerto Rico and Australia. The parties have agreed to a two-year deal that will include another series in London in 2020, with participating teams to be announced, and other initiatives that will aim to establish a footprint in the city.

The announcement of a two-year commitment to play games in London was made today in the capital by Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.; Tim Slavin, Chief of Business Affairs and Senior Counsel, Business for the MLBPA; the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; Boston Red Sox Principal Owner John W. Henry; and New York Yankees Managing General Partner/Co-Chairperson Hal Steinbrenner and General Partner/Vice Chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal.

Commissioner Manfred said: "Major League Baseball is excited to be bringing one of the most storied rivalries in sports to the passionate fans of London. In our ongoing efforts to grow baseball, there is nothing as impactful as bringing live games and our talented players to fans. This is our most significant endeavor ever in Europe and we look forward to showcasing Major League Baseball in one of the world's great cities."

Tony Clark, Executive Director of the MLBPA, said: "Some of the most talented and dynamic players in the world will be playing in these games. They are excited about the chance to meet new fans, and showcase the game they love. They are aware they'll be a part of history, but they also know these games count. So fans can expect intense competition during what will surely be a great few days in London."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "I am absolutely delighted that we have secured this historic agreement for Major League Baseball to come to London in 2019 and 2020. All the hard work has paid off. There is no better way to start the London Series and the first Major League Baseball fixture in Europe than a clash between two heavyweights of international sport - the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. This is a major coup demonstrating, once again, that London is the sporting capital of the world and I am excited about a new partnership with MLB and the long term future of this sport in our great city."

Boston Red Sox Principal Owner John W. Henry said: "For several years the Red Sox and Yankees have discussed playing in London as the first-ever Major League Baseball regular season game in Europe. It's also the first time the Red Sox and Yankees have played one another outside of New York or Boston. There were significant challenges that had to be overcome. We could not be happier that Commissioner Manfred has been able to make this a reality. This series will surely be the most significant international event to date for Major League ball. I can't wait to hear someone shout 'play ball' at London Stadium."

New York Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner said: "To have the opportunity to participate in this historic baseball endeavor and showcase our game in London is something our entire organization is thrilled to be a part of. Bringing these storied teams together for British fans - who have such a profound appreciation for sports at the highest level - only adds to the unique allure of one of the world's greatest sporting rivalries. We expect an exciting and intense pair of games and appreciate the significance of representing our sport in such a meaningful way."

Graham Gilmore, CEO of London Stadium 185, said: "As a venue, we are immensely proud to be hosting MLB's London Series at London Stadium in 2019. London Stadium has a track record of successfully delivering major global events, moving from Premier League Football and both international and domestic showpiece rugby fixtures to hosting some of the biggest names in music. We look forward to welcoming MLB, teams and fans to London Stadium for the first year of what we hope to be a fruitful, long term partnership."

Fans can stay up to date on all news regarding the 2019 MLB London Series by following @MLBLondonSeries on Instagram and Facebook and can pre-register for MLB London Series tickets at: mlb.com/london-series and https://atmlb.com/2rylJUz.

I appreciate the desire to attract new fans, but I must protest in the strongest way possible taking the American pastime to any city in the UK following the recent actions of that nation's increasingly anti-freedom government, especially their handling of little Alfie and arresting people for posts on social media. There is no freedom of speech in Great Britain, there are precious few freedoms of any kind left in this one great nation. We must not give the slightest appearance of condoning this type of behavior by allowing the great American pastime of baseball to played on their now sullied soil.

Curls wrote:I went to a baseball game in toronto.

It was gooseberry fool.

Hyperion wrote:I went to a baseball game in toronto.

It was great.

andretmzt wrote:I went to a game at Fenway Park in April. Boston won 14-1 agaijnst the Yankees.

strawberry floating freezing though.

Baseball will probably never be as entertaining again however so I'm out.

Ecno wrote:I am a huge fan of baseball. I lived in San Francisco for 9 months about 100 metres from the baseball stadium, so used to catch games after work, and follow it as much as I can here. I think I've been to 6/7 MLB stadiums and plan to add 2 more this year.

However, the thing which makes going to watch baseball good in the states, is the atmosphere, food etc. I can't see that be replicated in our heavy lager and pie focused stadiums.

I will still go to this however.

KK wrote:In terms of stadium structure, wouldn’t this have been better on a cricket ground?

Return_of_the_STAR wrote:

KK wrote:In terms of stadium structure, wouldn’t this have been better on a cricket ground?

I believe they explored the cricket grounds but none of ours have big enough capacities.