Mexico's place in baseball continues to grow on international stage

MIAMI -- While Mexico was being represented at the 2024 Caribbean Series by the Naranjeros de Hermosillo this weekend, their nation’s baseball was in the news for another reason: The announcement of the two split-squad exhibition games that the Yankees will play against the Diablos Rojos del México at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City March 24-25.

• Yankees, Diablos Rojos to face off in Mexico City this spring

It's the latest in a series of events that have furthered baseball’s momentum in Mexico, after the national team reached the semifinal round in last year’s World Baseball Classic and the first MLB games were played at Mexico City last April with the Giants-Padres series.

“I think a lot of people have seen how baseball has grown in Mexico,” said Juan Carlos Gamboa, an eight-year veteran of the Diablos Rojos who is currently reinforcing the Naranjeros at the Caribbean Series. “Since the World Baseball Classic, a lot of people have been following Mexican baseball more closely, thanks to the talent. Let’s hope there will be more impact from Mexico in the big leagues.”

Now, with the Yankees slated to play in Mexico City next month, the local fanbase will be able to see the Bronx Bombers in person for the first time since 1968, when New York also played two exhibition games there.

“Anytime you have a situation like that in Mexico, when a big league team goes to our country, Mexican baseball grows and so do the opportunities [to practice the sport],” said former Major League infielder and coach Juan Castro, who led the Naranjeros to the Mexican Pacific League championship this winter and now seeks the team’s first win in this year’s Caribbean Series. “Those events are always special for our people.”

The Yankees-Diablos Rojos matchup will feature the two winningest teams from their respective leagues. The Yankees have won the most World Series titles (27), while the Diablos Rojos have captured 16 Mexican League titles.

“It’s tough to put into words how big this could be,” Gamboa said. “The Diablos Rojos, one of the most important organizations in Mexican baseball, is going to host the best team in the Major Leagues. We’re happy, excited and anxious for the time to come, to enjoy that moment. That will be the biggest thing.”

Randy Romero, currently on the Naranjeros’ roster for this Caribbean Series, has played in both the summer Mexican Baseball League and the Mexican Pacific League. He echoed the sentiments of many of his countrymen involved in baseball, in the sense that the sport is riding a wave that began in earnest at last year’s World Baseball Classic.

“I think people are looking more and more at Mexican baseball,” he said. “And taking into account that it’s going to be in Mexico City, I think it will be important and interesting.

“We’re now a significant country when it comes to baseball. I think these events could open more opportunities. It will be important for people to enjoy this, so that there can be even more baseball in Mexico in the future.”

Last Opening Day, there were 15 Mexican-born players on Major League rosters, the most since 2005. Another MLB visit to Mexico, with teams steeped in such tradition, can only help further the cause of increasing the popularity of the sport in the country -- and also increasing that number moving forward.

“This will make baseball grow more,” Gamboa said. “The fanbase in Mexico City has grown a lot in the last few years. We see packed houses a lot now and with these types of games, we’ll see fans attending more and more games.”