Major League Baseball is heading across the Pacific Ocean to kick off the 2024 season. MLB announced this week that the Dodgers and Padres would play a two game series in Seoul, South Korea to begin the regular season next spring.
Taking place March 20th and 21st, the matchup marks the first ever regular season game played in Korea. The showdown between the NL West rivals marks only the 9th time an opening series will take place outside of Canada or the United States. The most recent such series took place in 2019 between the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners in Tokyo, in what would end up being Ichiro’s final MLB season.
“Major League Baseball is incredibly excited for this extensive slate of international games in 2024,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a release. “Our recent efforts have produced strong enthusiasm around the globe and we look forward to building on that foundation with returns to Mexico City and London, while also opening the season in Korea for the first time. In addition, we can’t wait to celebrate the tradition of the sport in the Dominican Republic with our visit to Santo Domingo next March. We are thrilled that our fans across four different countries outside the United States and Canada will have the opportunity to see the game’s stars.”
The Dodgers were a logical choice given their geographic location on the West Coast, which allows for Korean baseball fans to tune in to home games given the 16hr time difference. It’s also a nod to the club’s history with Korean baseball stars such as Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chan-Ho Park, and Hee-Seop Choi, all of whom have donned Dodgers blue in the past.
In addition to being a divisional rival, the Padres made sense in an effort to showcase Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto to a broader audience. San Diego also boasts infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who would be returning to his former KBO home ballpark if he’s still with the team in 2024.
Kim currently is without a long term deal, and could be an intriguing trade piece at the deadline this year. However, should the club elect to hold on to the 27 year old, he would be in line for a hero’s welcome next March.
“No matter where they come from, players are linked by a passion for our game that transcends different languages, cultures, and nationalities,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said. “The series announced today will allow fans around the globe to gain a first-hand appreciation for the unmatched skill and infectious enthusiasm players display every time they go to work. We are excited to expand our international presence in new communities and celebrate the game we all love.”
In addition to the games in Seoul, MLB plans to also host games in Mexico City (April 27th & 28th), London (June 8th & 9th), and Santo Domingo (March 9th & 10th). The league has also unveiled plans to play regular season games in Paris in the near future as the new CBA calls for up to 24 regular season contests and 16 exhibition games through 2026.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: Ryan Casey Aguinaldo. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.