2019 MLB London Series

{{main|MLB London Series}}

On May 8, 2018, MLB announced a two-year agreement to hold baseball games at London Stadium during the {{mlby|2019}} and 2020 seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/jul/21/you-want-to-make-sure-you-get-it-right-baseballs-big-plans-for-london|title='You want to make sure you get it right': Baseball's big plans for London|last=Carpenter|first=Les|date=2018-07-21|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}

{{see also|Yankees–Red Sox rivalry}}

The inaugural series was played between the Red Sox and Yankees, longtime divisional rivals, who had expressed specific interest in participating in the London games. Salter noted that the Yankees and Red Sox are among MLB's most iconic teams, and contrasted the NFL's reluctance to send its high-profile teams to London, as they would be too disruptive to their lucrative and comparatively limited schedules (with a 16-game regular season in comparison to MLB's 162-game regular season).{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/quick_fire_questions/mlb-london-games-yankees-red-sox-olympic-stadium-interview|title="We don't want to emulate the NFL and NBA": How MLB is planning to create its own London identity|work=SportsPro|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}} Via their parent company Fenway Sports Group, the Red Sox are also co-owned with Premier League club Liverpool F.C.{{cite news |url=https://nesn.com/2018/06/why-red-sox-were-ok-giving-up-home-games-for-london-series-vs-yankees/ |title=Why Red Sox Were OK Giving Up Home Games For London Series Vs. Yankees |first=Darren |last=Hartwell |website=NESN |date=June 1, 2018 |access-date=October 31, 2018}}

Locating a venue with the correct dimensions required for a baseball field was difficult, especially as the majority of stadiums in the London region are primarily designed for association football. MLB officials had evaluated multiple options (including cricket grounds such as The Oval), before finalizing London Stadium as the site. The facility was originally constructed for the 2012 Summer Olympics; in late-2015, it was reported that MLB officials had measured the stadium's dimensions and considered it potentially suitable for baseball, and had negotiated the possibility of holding games there.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/09/mlb-europe-london-olympic-stadium|title=MLB in Europe? London in the frame as baseball expands its horizons|last=Ferguson|first=Ryan|date=2015-12-09|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}

MLB developed a plan to make London Stadium for the games resemble an MLB ballpark, via installation of a new baseball field as an overlay on top of the stadium's existing running track and soccer pitch, with a seating configuration to emulate the more "intimate" layout and fan experiences of MLB ballparks. Materials to construct the playing surface include approximately {{convert|142,000|sqft|sqm}} of FieldTurf, and clay for the pitcher's mound and home plate area sourced from Pennsylvania.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/21/mlb-going-to-great-lengths-for-yankees-red-sox-series-in-london/ |title=MLB going to great lengths for Yankees-Red Sox series in London |agency=Associated Press |website=New York Post |date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=May 21, 2019}} As the facility's locker rooms are smaller and suited towards soccer, larger, MLB-style clubhouses were built within the stadium. As done at Toronto's Rogers Centre, dimensions from home plate are posted in feet and meters: {{convert|330|ft|m|1}} to the foul poles and 385 feet (117.4 m) to center field, with a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=on}} fence. The dimensions have been described as being potentially hitter-friendly.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/sports/baseball/yankees-red-sox-london.html|title=Yankees-Red Sox Games in London Next June Could Be Home Run Derbies|work=The New York Times |date=8 May 2018 |url-access=limited|access-date=2018-11-14|language=en|last1=Witz |first1=Billy }} The two points in left center and right center where the temporary fences join the wall in center field area are slightly closer than center, marked as {{convert|382|ft|m|1}}. As the roof overhangs the home plate area, there is a ground rule that balls hitting the roof are considered dead.{{cite news |url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/High-cheese-comes-to-land-of-high-tea-Yanks-vs-14059130.php |title=High cheese comes to land of high tea: Yanks vs Red Sox |first=Ronald |last=Blum |agency=AP |website=New Haven Register |date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=June 28, 2019 |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629015459/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/High-cheese-comes-to-land-of-high-tea-Yanks-vs-14059130.php |url-status=dead }}

On April 29, 2019, it was announced that ProgrammeMaster, a London-based sports publisher, had secured the rights to produce the official gameday programme.{{cite press release |url=https://programmemaster.com/programmemaster-to-produce-mlb-london-series-programmes/ |title=ProgrammeMaster to Produce 2019 MLB London Series Programmes |date=April 29, 2019 |website=programmemaster.com |access-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626111327/https://programmemaster.com/programmemaster-to-produce-mlb-london-series-programmes/ |url-status=dead }} On May 24, 2019, it went on sale online, priced at £10.{{cite web |url=https://programmemaster.com/product/mitel-mlb-present-london-series-2019/ |title=Mitel & MLB Present London Series 2019 Red Sox v Yankees Pre-Order Programme |access-date=May 24, 2019 |website=programmemaster.com |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626111327/https://programmemaster.com/product/mitel-mlb-present-london-series-2019/ |url-status=dead }}

In the United States, television rights for the series were split between Fox and ESPN respectively, with both games called by their lead commentary teams (led by Joe Buck and Matt Vasgersian, respectively). The first game aired as part of the afternoon (U.S. time) Fox Saturday Baseball, and the second aired in the morning.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/fox-espn-broadcast-game-london-151851869.html|title=Fox, ESPN will each broadcast a game of the London Series|website=sports.yahoo.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-02}}

In November 2018, it was reported that Major League Baseball was nearing a deal with the BBC to broadcast the two games, with a broadcasting agreement similar to that of the NFL's partnership with the broadcaster. The league currently has a television rights deal with BT Sport, most recently renewed through 2021 to cover the London games.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mlb-london-series-tv-rights-bbc-red-sox-yankees|title=Report: MLB and BBC close to London Series rights deal|website=SportsPro|date=23 November 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-02}} In May 2019, the BBC acquired digital rights to the London games for 2019 and 2020, with plans for a free-to-air television broadcast on the inaugural game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26365197|title=ESPN and BT launch new baseball show|date=2019-03-28|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bbc-secures-mlb-london-series-streaming-rights|title=BBC secures MLB London Series streaming rights|website=SportsPro |date=2 May 2019 |access-date=2019-06-18}} The two games were streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/baseball/48741781|title=MLB London Series: All you need to know about New York Yankees v Boston Red Sox|date=2019-06-25|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=2019-06-28}}

The Boston Red Sox Radio Network also carried the games, with announcers Joe Castiglione, Dave O’Brien, and Sean McDonough.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2019/06/03/sean-mcdonough-to-call-red-sox-games-in-london |title=Sean McDonough to call Red Sox games in London |first=Chad |last=Finn |website=Boston.com |date=June 3, 2019 |access-date=June 3, 2019}} WFAN (AM) carried the games in New York City.{{cite web |url=https://wfan.radio.com/shows/show-schedule/yankees-vs-red-sox-london-air-only |title=Yankees vs. Red Sox in London (Air Only) |website=wfan.radio.com |access-date=June 30, 2019}}

File:MLB London Series 2019.jpg

At the 2019 games, entertainment traditions from Red Sox and Yankees games were represented in-game, including the grounds crew performing "Y.M.C.A." (as is done at Yankee Stadium) and a "Sweet Caroline" sing-along (as is done at Fenway Park).{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-vs-red-sox-mlb-london-series-prediction-and-10-things-to-know-including-live-stream-info-and-tv-start-times/ |title=Yankees vs. Red Sox: MLB London Series prediction and 10 things to know, including live stream info and TV start times |first=Mike |last=Axisa |website=CBS Sports |date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019}} "Theme from New York, New York" was played after both Yankee wins, as is done at Yankee Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/30/sports/yankees-red-sox-london.html |title=Yankees Leave London With 'Eye-Opening' Wins Over Red Sox |first=James |last=Wagner |website=New York Times |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2019}} Fans voted for Winston Churchill, Freddie Mercury, King Henry VIII, and the Loch Ness Monster to be the entrants in the mascot races.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27075572/we-race-mercury-mlb-uk-mascot |title=We will race you: Mercury an MLB UK mascot |website=ESPN |date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019}} "The Freeze" (Nigel Talton of Fort Valley, Georgia, a member of the Atlanta Braves' grounds crew),[https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/2017/06/12/who-freeze-meet-former-college-track-star-racing-braves-fans-between-innings/15759133007/ Who is 'The Freeze?' Meet the former college track star racing Braves fans between innings] a spandex-clad sprinter sponsored by RaceTrac who races fans at Braves games, also appeared.

At the June 29 game, the national anthems of both the United States and the United Kingdom were performed by The Kingdom Choir;{{cite news |url=https://imgartists.com/news/the-kingdom-choir-to-perform-at-mlb-boston-red-sox-new-york-yankees-game-in-london-on-29-june/ |title=The Kingdom Choir to Perform at MLB Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees Game in London on 29 June |website=IMG Artists |date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=June 28, 2019}} the ceremonial first pitches were thrown by participants of the Invictus Games with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in attendance;{{cite tweet |user=mlblondonseries |number=1145021527349497856 |title=A royal ceremonial first pitch |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019}} the mascot race was won by Freddie Mercury;{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/freddie-mercury-wins-london-series-mascot-race |title=Freddie Mercury outran Winston Churchill, Henry VIII and Nessie in the London Series mascot race |first=Adrian |last=Garro |website=MLB.com |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}} and The Freeze lost to a fan in their footrace.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-freeze-loses-footrace-in-london-series-game |title=The Freeze met his match at the London Series, losing to 'Jason from New York' in an epic race |first=Adrian |last=Garro |website=MLB.com |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}}

At the June 30 game, the national anthems were performed by the Capital Children's Choir;{{cite news |url=https://www.thewrap.com/mlb-london-8-things-you-didnt-see-on-tv-during-the-red-sox-yankees-uk-series/ |title=MLB London: 8 Things You Didn't See on TV During the Red Sox-Yankees UK Series |first=Debbie |last=Emery |website=TheWrap |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}} The Freeze defeated a fan in their footrace;{{cite tweet |user=TomCaron |number=1145353310251233280 |title=Big bounce back effort for The Freeze here in London. |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}} and the mascot race was won by King Henry VIII.{{cite tweet |user=MarlyRiveraESPN |number=1145359396517613569 |title=And the winner of today's "Mascot Race" – to John's delight at @batflips_nerds – is NOT Freddie Mercury, but Henry VIII! |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}}

Both teams wore their home (white) jerseys in game one, in order for the Yankees to appear in their well-known pinstripes, despite being the visiting team.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/26/mlb-jerseys-opening-day-yankees-red-sox#ALE |title=Uni Watch: MLB Preview 2019 – AL East |first=Paul |last=Lukas |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 28, 2019}} The Red Sox wore their home red alternate jerseys in game two, with the Yankees again wearing their famous pinstripes. In late June, MLB announced that both teams would be allowed to have 26 active players on their rosters during the series (one more than MLB normally allows), with the extra man being a position player. Both teams were also allowed to have 28 players travel to London, in case a roster move (such as due to injury) was required.{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/06/red-sox-yankees-in-london-boston-will-have-26-man-roster-for-series-2-other-players-will-travel-on-taxi-squad.html |title=Red Sox-Yankees in London: Boston will have 26-man roster for series; 2 other players will travel on taxi squad |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |date=June 22, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019}}

At 4 hours 42 minutes, the game was only three minutes shorter than the longest nine-inning game in MLB history (August 18, 2006, also between the Red Sox and Yankees).{{cite tweet |user=TomCaron |number=1145077444967391232 |title=The longest 9-inning game in #MLB history was on Aug. 18, 2006. It lasted 4:45. |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B08182BOS2006.htm |title=New York Yankees 14, Boston Red Sox 11 (2) |website=Retrosheet |date=August 18, 2006 |access-date=June 29, 2019}} (The first inning alone, which saw both teams score six times, took 58 minutes.) The 30 total runs scored were the second-most ever in a game between these two teams (31 were scored on August 21, 2009, a 20–11 New York win).{{cite tweet |user=SoxNotes |number=1145087969130364929 |title=Most combined runs scored in a Red Sox-Yankees game |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2009/B08210BOS2009.htm |title=New York Yankees 20, Boston Red Sox 11 |website=Retrosheet |date=August 21, 2009 |access-date=June 29, 2019}} The attendance of 59,659 was the most at an MLB game since September 28, 2003, when a crowd of 60,988 at Qualcomm Stadium saw the San Diego Padres lose to the visiting Colorado Rockies.{{cite tweet |user=PeteAbe |number=1145106441650528268 |title=The game in London drew 59,659 |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2003/B09280SDN2003.htm |title=Colorado Rockies 10, San Diego Padres 8 |website=Retrosheet |date=September 28, 2003 |access-date=June 29, 2019}}

{{linescore

|Date= June 29, 2019,

|Time=1:10 pm EDT (6:10 pm BST)

|Location=London Stadium in London, United Kingdom

|Other={{convert|92|F|C}}

|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY

|R1=6|R2=0|R3=2|R4=6|R5=3|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=17|RH=19|RE=0

|Home=Boston|HomeAbr=BOS

|H1=6|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=1|H7=6|H8=0|H9=0|HR=13|HH=18|HE=0

|WP=Chad Green (2–2)

|LP=Steven Wright (0–1)

|SV=

|RoadHR=Hicks (6), Gardner (12), Judge (7)

|HomeHR=Chavis 2 (14), Bradley Jr. (9)

|Attendance=59,659

|Notes=Game duration 4:42

|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2019/B06290BOS2019.htm

}}

File:Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in London.jpg at bat during the third inning of Game 2]]

Boston had three first-inning home runs, the first time the team accomplished that feat since August 14, 1979.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401075985 |title=Tradition: Comeback lifts Yanks to London sweep of Red Sox |agency=AP |website=ESPN |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1979/B08140BOS1979.htm |title=Boston Red Sox 12, Minnesota Twins 1 |website=Retrosheet |date=August 14, 1979 |access-date=June 30, 2019}} New York came from behind to take an 11–4 lead in the seventh inning, when they sent 14 batters to the plate. An eighth-inning homer by Didi Gregorius extended the Yankees' record of consecutive games with a home run to 31. The 50 total runs scored in the two-game series were the most ever in consecutive games between the Yankees and Red Sox.

{{linescore

|Date=June 30, 2019,

|Time=10:10 am EDT (3:10 pm BST)

|Location=London Stadium in London, United Kingdom

|Other={{convert|72|F|C}}

|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY

|R1=0|R2=2|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=9|R8=1|R9=0|RR=12|RH=13|RE=2

|Home=Boston|HomeAbr=BOS

|H1=4|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=4|H9=0|HR=8|HH=15|HE=2

|WP=Adam Ottavino (3–2)

|LP=Marcus Walden (6–1)

|SV=

|RoadHR=Gregorius (3)

|HomeHR=Bogaerts (16), Martinez (18), Vázquez (11)

|Attendance=59,059

|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2019/B06300BOS2019.htm

|Notes=Game duration 4:24

}}

• List of Major League Baseball games played outside the United States and Canada

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-and-yankees-make-history-in-mlb-london-series |title=Every fact from Yankees-Red Sox Game 1 |website=MLB.com |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-london-series-game-2-yankees-vs-red-sox |title=Every fact from Yankees-Red Sox Game 2 |website=MLB.com |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/11/28/heres-what-tickets-cost-for-next-junes-red-sox-yankees-series-in-london |title=Here's what tickets cost for next June's Red Sox-Yankees series in London |first=Ronald |last=Blum |agency=AP |website=Boston.com |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=November 29, 2018}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/faq-for-mlb-s-first-london-series |title=London calling: FAQ for Yanks-Red Sox series |first1=Ian |last1=Browne |first2=Bryan |last2=Hoch |website=MLB.com |date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=June 28, 2019}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/king-george-v-watched-american-baseball-in-1918/c-275791064 |title=Long before the Red Sox and Yankees went to London, two baseball teams played a game in front of the King |first=Michael |last=Clair |website=MLB.com |date=May 8, 2018 |access-date=June 28, 2019}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2019/06/26/photos-london-stadium-red-sox-yankees-mlb |title=Photos: What London Stadium looks like for Red Sox-Yankees |first=Tommy |last=McArdle |website=Boston.com |date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=June 27, 2019}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.mlb.com/london-series London Series] at MLB.com

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MLB London Series

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MLB London Series

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