Yankees And Marlins To Pay Tribute To Rivera With Exhibition In Panama
Oct 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees former pitcher
Mariano Riverawaves to the crowd before game two of the MLB baseball World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Jared Wickerham/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Though it has been talked about for months, two exhibition games between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins have been scheduled for March 15th and 16th in Panama City’s Estadio Nacional de Panama (also known as Rod Carew Stadium) to honor recently retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. The two games are being called the “Legend Series”. Rivera, Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader, will be helping promote the series.
The stadium is named after Panama-born Hall Of Fame second baseman Rod Carew. Among the wide variety of events held at the ballpark are the 2012 Quarter Finals for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, national baseball games, and many concerts. It is fitted to seat 27,000 fans.
Rivera is very excited about the chance to see his former team play in his home country.
"As long as I can remember, it has been my dream to bring my team, the Yankees, to play baseball in Panama. I grew up playing in Puerto Caimito, where I developed my passion for baseball and began a journey that brought me to New York. It is my hope that this legacy series will inspire other young players to pursue their dreams. I am very grateful to Major League Baseball, the Players Association, the Yankees and the Marlins in making this dream become a reality.~Mariano Rivera"
These series will mark the first Major League games to be held in Panama since the Spring of 1947, when the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers played a number of exhibition games there as well as in Cuba, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.
Yankees President Randy Levine is well aware of the historical significance of the series.
"The Yankees recognize that the sport of Baseball truly belongs to the world.~Randy Levine"
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