'14 MLB Opening Series set for Sydney, Australia
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MLB Press Release-
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association jointly announced today that the 2014 Championship Season will begin in Sydney, Australia on March 22nd and 23rd, 2014, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers will play MLB's Opening Series at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground.
The '14 Opening Series featuring the NL West rivals will be MLB's first regular season games to be staged in Australia. MLB has previously opened seasons in Monterrey, Mexico (1999); Tokyo, Japan (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (2001).
Baseball's history in Australia goes back more than 150 years. The 2014 Opening Series will mark the 100th anniversary of exhibition games played by the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants at the same traditional sports venue where the Opening Series will be played. The White Sox defeated the Giants, 5-4, before 10,000 fans on January 3, 1914.
[[In-content Ad]]"Major League Baseball is thrilled that the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers will open our 2014 regular season in Sydney, Australia," Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. "The globalization of our game continues to be paramount to Major League Baseball, and Australia is an essential part of our long-term efforts to grow the sport. We look forward to writing an exciting new chapter in international baseball history at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground next March."
"The players are excited about opening the 2014 season in Sydney, and they view this series as an important step in furthering their commitment to help increase the global popularity of baseball," said MLBPA Executive Director Michael Weiner. "We thank the Australian Baseball Federation and fans for welcoming us to their country. We anticipate the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney will prove to be a memorable experience for players and fans alike."
"The Dodgers are absolutely ecstatic to be opening the 2014 championship season in Sydney, one of the greatest cities in the world," Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten said. "Our organization is committed to growing the game of baseball internationally and I'm eager to kick off our season in one of the most exciting and rapidly developing baseball markets on earth."
"We are honored that Major League Baseball selected our franchise to participate in the first-ever series in Australia," Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall said. "The Diamondbacks take great pride in promoting our brand, as well as the greatest sport, globally. Being at the forefront of spreading international goodwill on this prominent stage is a feat that we enthusiastically embrace and accept."
Australia has produced 31 Major League players all-time. Australia currently has 60 players under contract with Major League organizations.
The '14 Opening Series featuring the NL West rivals will be MLB's first regular season games to be staged in Australia. MLB has previously opened seasons in Monterrey, Mexico (1999); Tokyo, Japan (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (2001).
Baseball's history in Australia goes back more than 150 years. The 2014 Opening Series will mark the 100th anniversary of exhibition games played by the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants at the same traditional sports venue where the Opening Series will be played. The White Sox defeated the Giants, 5-4, before 10,000 fans on January 3, 1914.
[[In-content Ad]]"Major League Baseball is thrilled that the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers will open our 2014 regular season in Sydney, Australia," Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. "The globalization of our game continues to be paramount to Major League Baseball, and Australia is an essential part of our long-term efforts to grow the sport. We look forward to writing an exciting new chapter in international baseball history at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground next March."
"The players are excited about opening the 2014 season in Sydney, and they view this series as an important step in furthering their commitment to help increase the global popularity of baseball," said MLBPA Executive Director Michael Weiner. "We thank the Australian Baseball Federation and fans for welcoming us to their country. We anticipate the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney will prove to be a memorable experience for players and fans alike."
"The Dodgers are absolutely ecstatic to be opening the 2014 championship season in Sydney, one of the greatest cities in the world," Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten said. "Our organization is committed to growing the game of baseball internationally and I'm eager to kick off our season in one of the most exciting and rapidly developing baseball markets on earth."
"We are honored that Major League Baseball selected our franchise to participate in the first-ever series in Australia," Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall said. "The Diamondbacks take great pride in promoting our brand, as well as the greatest sport, globally. Being at the forefront of spreading international goodwill on this prominent stage is a feat that we enthusiastically embrace and accept."
Australia has produced 31 Major League players all-time. Australia currently has 60 players under contract with Major League organizations.