Dave Cokin on radio here said players in this game in Japan will be wearing advertisments on their helmets and game to be broadcast live 2am PST.
Official opening day is April 4
Due to this early Japan game, Devil Rays pitcher/catcher report first--this Sat Feb 14. Reporting dates and Spring Training schedule here
Important dates 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Associated Press
TOKYO -- Hideki Matsui will get a chance to display his Yankee pinstripes at the Tokyo Dome.
The outfielder will return to Japan with the New York Yankees on March 30 and 31 to open the season against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
While the Devil Rays are the home team for the two games, Matsui said Tampa Bay has agreed to let the Yankees wear their home uniforms both nights for the benefit of Japanese fans.
"I never thought I'd be playing in Japan in the Yankee uniform," Matsui said Tuesday at a news conference to promote the series.
Pat Courtney, a spokesman for the commissioner's office, said Wednesday that having the Yankees wear their home uniforms had been finalized.
"Since they are known for their pinstripes throughout the world, the decision was made that it would be appropriate for these games," he said.
On March 28 and 29, the Yankees and Devil Rays will play split doubleheaders against the Yomiuri Giants -- Matsui's former team -- and the Hanshin Tigers, also at the Tokyo Dome.
"It will be interesting to play against my old teammates," Matsui said. "My role on the Yankees is different than it was with the Giants."
Matsui was a three-time MVP for the Giants before joining the Yankees before the 2003 season.
These will be the first games played by the Yankees outside the United States and Canada since 1955, according to the baseball Hall of Fame.
This will be only the second time regular-season major league games are played in Japan. The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs played a two-game series in 2000.
"We've played the Yankees before," Tampa Bay infielder Aubrey Huff said. "I'm looking forward to playing the Japanese teams because I've heard the level of competition here is very high."
Official opening day is April 4
Due to this early Japan game, Devil Rays pitcher/catcher report first--this Sat Feb 14. Reporting dates and Spring Training schedule here
Important dates 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Associated Press
TOKYO -- Hideki Matsui will get a chance to display his Yankee pinstripes at the Tokyo Dome.
The outfielder will return to Japan with the New York Yankees on March 30 and 31 to open the season against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
While the Devil Rays are the home team for the two games, Matsui said Tampa Bay has agreed to let the Yankees wear their home uniforms both nights for the benefit of Japanese fans.
"I never thought I'd be playing in Japan in the Yankee uniform," Matsui said Tuesday at a news conference to promote the series.
Pat Courtney, a spokesman for the commissioner's office, said Wednesday that having the Yankees wear their home uniforms had been finalized.
"Since they are known for their pinstripes throughout the world, the decision was made that it would be appropriate for these games," he said.
On March 28 and 29, the Yankees and Devil Rays will play split doubleheaders against the Yomiuri Giants -- Matsui's former team -- and the Hanshin Tigers, also at the Tokyo Dome.
"It will be interesting to play against my old teammates," Matsui said. "My role on the Yankees is different than it was with the Giants."
Matsui was a three-time MVP for the Giants before joining the Yankees before the 2003 season.
These will be the first games played by the Yankees outside the United States and Canada since 1955, according to the baseball Hall of Fame.
This will be only the second time regular-season major league games are played in Japan. The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs played a two-game series in 2000.
"We've played the Yankees before," Tampa Bay infielder Aubrey Huff said. "I'm looking forward to playing the Japanese teams because I've heard the level of competition here is very high."
