MLB in Mexico: A New Era Begins in Monterrey

It is well known that Mexico shares a border with the United States and has a deep knowledge and love for baseball, with passionate fans. However, for many years, this was not enough to bring Major League Baseball (MLB) games to Mexico on a regular basis. But that is about to change.

In 1996, Monterrey became the first city outside of the United States and Canada to host a regular season game. It seemed like the beginning of a growing relationship, but it didn't happen as expected. Now, 22 years later, MLB is taking this relationship to another level for many years to come.

This Friday, the series between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers begins at Estadio Monterrey. This is the third major step MLB has taken in Mexico since Rob Manfred became commissioner.

In 1996, the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets faced off in a three-game series at Estadio Monterrey. A total of 67,382 fans witnessed this historic event, which ended in favor of the Padres. It left a taste of what was yet to come.

Three years later, another historic event took place. The Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres opened the 1999 season with a single game in Monterrey. The hope was that this plan would continue, but it didn't happen, at least not in Mexico.

After those two tests, MLB decided to present its product internationally in other locations, such as Japan. From 2000 to 2012, Japanese fans enjoyed eight regular season games, with four games also being played in Puerto Rico.

But what about Mexico? MLB didn't forget about Mexico, but the only games played were spring training games in Mexico City and Hermosillo.

However, things changed in 2014 when Rob Manfred became commissioner. The first international games were played in Australia, where the Dodgers and Diamondbacks played two games in advance of the regular season. MLB decided to take this opportunity while there were still preseason games in the United States. After Australia, MLB revealed that internationalization was a top priority, with Mexico being a key focus.

After four years of work, including a preseason series in Mexico City in 2016 and the opening of a regional office, the first step of MLB's plan will take place on May 4th at Estadio Monterrey.

When the Padres and Dodgers play their three-game series at Palacio Sultán, it will mark the beginning of a project that envisions more spring training and regular season games in Mexico in consecutive years.

When will they return? Where else will they play? How many more years? These questions will be answered gradually, but the goal is for MLB to stay in Mexico for good. MLB is back to stay.

Get your tickets for MLB Mexico, here.