“America’s pastime” is going international again as the 2025 Opening Day stage has been set. The Los Angeles Dodgers are battling the Chicago Cubs in the first regular season series of the year in Tokyo, Japan. This will mark the 25th anniversary of the first regular season MLB game played in Tokyo. The first one took place in 2000 when the Cubs took on the Mets.
This series is expected to bring much excitement and anticipation as three Japanese stars will be returning to the Tokyo Dome once again since their last appearance in the World Baseball Classic. Additionally, baseball’s biggest star, in the form of Shohei Ohtani, may be returning as the two-way player he is known to be.
Here is a look into the upcoming 2025 series, along with a dive into previous international games.
MLB In Tokyo, Japan 2025
The Cubs and Dodgers will face off in the season opener on March 18, 2025. The game will take place at the Tokyo Dome for the sixth time since MLB has gone global. Excitement buzzes through baseball fans at the news that the four-time All-Star, Ohtani, may be returning to the mound.
Famously an incredible two-way player, Ohtani has been restricted to his role as Designated Hitter this year for Los Angeles. Following a UCL tear in 2023, pitching has been off the table for the entirety of 2024. As he has followed a throwing program throughout the year, it is expected Ohtani will be back on the mound beginning next season.
In addition to the anticipation surrounding Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shota Imanaga will be returning to the Dome as well. These Japanese superstars should expect a warm welcome from the fans of Tokyo as they were big factors in the victory of Team Japan in the WBC in 2023. Beloved by many, this will be a big series for them and fans alike.
Global Games Throughout The Years
The Dodgers are no strangers to international games as they opened the current season in Seoul, South Korea versus the San Diego Padres. The series was exciting as they elicited high-scoring, close games. The two National League West teams ultimately split the series. The excitement revolving around the games sparked MLB to select Los Angeles to start 2025 globally once again.
The initial game outside of the United States and Canada for MLB was in 1996 when the New York Mets faced off against the Padres in a series in Monterrey, Mexico. This sparked a new practice for Major League Baseball for decades to come.
In the last 10 years, MLB has taken its game all over the world. They have been to Sydney Australia, Tokyo, Japan and different cities in Mexico many times. These games often featured recurring teams such as the Dodgers, Cubs, and Padres. The success the league has had in these international games has prompted MLB to further expand and revisit places to encourage the growth of baseball worldwide.
Why Does MLB Do This?
MLB’s efforts to globalize baseball through its international games have sparked other traditions to come around. After having taken the sport all over the world for almost 30 years now, the presence and overall impact of the sport has grown exponentially.
In 2006, the World Baseball Classic came to fruition. This tournament includes teams from many nations across the world competing in a tournament. This event is held every three to four years and has increased the popularity of the game by a large margin. The influence of MLB’s World Tour games has greatly contributed to the emergence of the WBC.
The globalization of the sport has caused the popularity of it to seep into many nations. As the Dodgers and Cubs begin the 2025 season in Tokyo, this marks just another footprint in the history of the globalization of Major League Baseball.
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