MEXICO CITY (AP) — When the Houston Astros take on the Colorado Rockies this weekend, it will be the seventh regular-season series played in Mexico. Major League Baseball’s presence in the country, however, goes far beyond that.
Mexico became one of only six countries in the world with an MLB office in 2016. For Rodrigo Fernandez, the head of the organization south of the border, the regular-season series may be the biggest event, but it’s far from the only one held in the country.
Among those, the MLB office runs a program called First Pitch to promote the game among kids. Another is the MLB Cup, a nation-wide tournament for 11 and 12 year olds that recently finished its fifth championship.
“For us (the series) is the cherry on top of the cake because we have many activities through the year,” Fernandez told The Associated Press. “The MLB Cup is broadcasted by ESPN and is the biggest tournament of its kind in Mexico. Those kids are Mexico’s future.”
Met Gala 2024: Cynthia Erivo cut a unique figure in a co
Michael Boxall and Tani Oluwaseyi score goals; Minnesota beats Sporting KC 2
Xavi to stay as Barca coach in dramatic U
JANA HOCKING: Married men need to get out of my way
Gallen throws 6 shutout innings, Carroll drives in 5 as Diamondbacks beat listless Reds 6
China's top political advisory body concludes standing committee session
Teenage golfer Ji wins first pro title in Tianjin
Former Chinese bank official stands trial for bribery