MLB opened its regular season Tuesday with the first game of the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs at the Tokyo Dome, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred “expects this Opening Series will set records across the board among league special events, including in viewership and revenue” -- the latter pegged by Manfred at $35M. The “only comparison he sees” is to the league’s annual All-Star Game. Manfred: “The Tokyo series is going to be the biggest standalone international event in the history of Major League Baseball.” Manfred also expects to propose “more regular activity” in Japan and Korea in future negotiations with the MLBPA. He noted Japan “wants to see an event like the Opening Series every three years” (THE ATHLETIC, 3/18).
Fox’s Jason Benetti noted these are the first MLB games played at Tokyo Dome, which “has seen a lot of baseball” since it opened in 1988. However, the ballpark “may not have seen anything like this.” Fox’s A.J. Pierzynski said, “The spirit and the energy these fans bring is completely different than what it is in the United States. This is a huge moment, not only for these Japanese fans but for Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball continues to try and grow the game internationally, and games like this matter to these fans. They to get to see Imanaga and Yamamoto pitch against each other on Opening Day, it’s a thrill” (“Dodgers-Cubs,” Fox, 3/18).
Benetti and Pierzynski are broadcasting the game remotely for Fox, as Benetti is set to “call the NCAA Tournament for Westwood One” and Adam Amin -- who is calling Wednesday’s game on FS1 -- “will be on the Bulls’ West Coast trip.” Meanwhile, Pierzynski has obligations for “his Foul Territory show” (X, 3/17).
