Report: Red Sox, Orioles explore playing exhibition in Cuba
The Boston Red Sox have explored the possibility of playing an exhibition game in Cuba this spring, but currently have no plans to play a game there, reports ESPN.com’s Buster Olney.
According to the report, it is believed that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is a Red Sox fan, was involved in talks concerning the game.
Despite the Red Sox having considered playing an exhibition in Cuba, there are several issues with hosting a game in the island country. Participating teams would have to ensure their schedules allowed for a game abroad, and the governments of both the United States and Cuba would have to sign off on the game. Major League Baseball and the Players Association would also have to approve the game.
Last month, President Barack Obama said the U.S. intended to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba for the first time in 50 years.
Olney also reports that the Baltimore Orioles are interested in playing in Cuba as early as this spring. The Orioles played a two-game exhibition series against the Cuban national team in 1999. The Orioles played in Cuba in March of that year, and the Cubans visited Camden Yards two months later.
- Scooby Axson
