SEATTLE - More than 56 years later since their last visit down south, the New York Yankees will play in Mexico for the first time since 1968. Half a century later, the most popular and winningest team in MLB history returns to face its Mexican counterpart, Los Diablos Rojos del Mexico, at the new Alfredo Harp Helu stadium.
According to TicketMaster Mexico, it only took about 90 minutes for tickets to sell out at a venue that can hold about 20,000 people. The two-game series between Yankees and Diablos marks the first international trip by the Bronx Bombers since 2014, when they visited Panama for a two-game exhibition at the request of Yankee legend and Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera.
The history of both teams is full of great players and trophies. Between the two, they account for 43 titles, with the Yankees having the most World Series titles at 27 and the Diablos Rojos also holding the record for most titles in the Mexican league with 16.
In their last visit more than 56 years ago, the teams split the series with one win apiece, with Los Diablos winning the first game 5-3 and the Yankees getting payback in the second outing by a 9-1 score. To put that time frame into perspective, "Hey Jude" by The Beatles was the number one song in the world, Katharine Hepburn was winning the second of her four Best Actress awards and the Diablos Rojos del Mexico were crowned champions for the third time in history.
Familiar face
The New York Yankees should be ready to see a familiar face when they play the Diablos Rojos, as the Mexican team recently signed former MLB pitcher and Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer. The right-handed pitcher signed a deal that will see the 2020 Cy Young winner play five games with Mexico besides the two-game exhibition against the Yankees.
Bauer was given an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for violating the league's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy when a San Diego woman said the former Dodgers player beat and sexually abused her. An arbitration panel cut his suspension to 194 and he remains hopeful a good showing with Diablos Rojos can open a door for his return to MLB.
Star-studded exhibition
Although Yankees superstar Aaron Judge will miss the exhibition games due to an abdominal muscle soreness, the Bronx Bombers will bring a lot of firepower to their trip down south.
Some of the players scheduled to be included on the trip include position players such as right fielder Juan Soto, Mexican left fielder Alex Verdugo, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and third baseman DJ LeMahieu. Catcher José Treviño is also expected to make the trip, but team manager Aaron Boone said things could change a bit.
In terms of pitchers, Mexican pitcher Victor González will be in the rotation as well as righty Jonathan Loáisiga. González is a left-handed pitcher that spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before arriving to New York City last year. He was part of the Dodgers team that won the World Series title in 2020.
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