The MLB London Series is an exciting opportunity for any baseball star as they get to play their trade away from home and in front of a brand new audience.
That is, unless you have a small fear of flying, which Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has previously admitted. The Cubs take on NL Central rivals St. Louis Cardinals in the delayed 2023 London Series in June, but Happ is feeling optimistic about the journey despite his slight phobia.
One of the oldest rivalries in MLB will take place at West Ham 's London Stadium in June after the success of the first series back in 2019. And Happ spoke to Mirror Sport about the occasion, while sending a message to their future opponents.
Travel is a huge part of being an elite athlete, especially over in the United States when even your closest rivals can be hours away. Travelling may not be for everyone, but Happ has to put up with it despite really not liking planes at all, even though he is constantly boarding them throughout the year.
Happ is actually feeling relaxed about flying to London in June, even though the flight time is approximately eight hours from Chicago. "Yeah I'm getting a little bit better, I think that plane won't be a bad ride," Happ exclusively told Mirror Sport .
"I think we will be in a spot where we are up in the big bird and I'm not too nervous about that one. When we fly in Chicago, our worst trips are the short ones in the midwest.
"The clouds get a little bit thick and a little bit bouncy in the wind. So I'm not as worried about the longer flight on a bigger plane."
But the flight will be worth the occasion for Happ, as he's excited to experience the London atmosphere, while playing in a major divisional game. The Cardinals and the Cubs are seperated geographically by the Mississippi River, and hold one of the oldest rivalries in MLB due to the region's fanbase being divided.
Happ is excited to bring that to London, but also admitted having lots of respect for the Cardinals despite the rivalry. "We have a lot of respect for each other both the players and the franchises, but they're always intense games when we play each other and they will continue to be," Happ added.
"We are in a division fighting for the championship there to then head to the play-offs so every one of those games is super important. But being able to showcase that in London is going to be a really cool opportunity. For fans to see what it's like and what that rivalry is, especially because they care so much."
The Cardinals finished top of the NL Central division in 2022, with a record of 93-69 putting them ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cubs. But Happ is optimistic for the season ahead, and is hoping that this time they can top the division.
"I think we are set up in a good way, we have a lot of pieces, a lot of young talent coming up so we are going to see what happens this off-season," Happy said. "Our guys are really active and wanting to add some really good players.
"I mean, you don't really know in baseball until you get to spring training, but once you get there you get a good feel for what it looks like. Our staff are incredible, David Ross as a manager is fantastic and I'm really excited to see what they all put together."
St. Louis Cardinals will play Chicago Cubs in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2023 on June 24 – 25 at London Stadium. Tickets go on sale 1 0am on December 6 2022 at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/mlb
