Diablos Rojos del Mexico secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over the powerhouse New York Yankees in an exhibition game on Sunday.
The electrifying match, held at the Alfredo Harp Helu stadium, drew a sellout crowd of 20,062, marking a historic moment in Mexico"s baseball history as the Major League Baseball (MLB) side returned to Mexico City after 56 years.
LMB’s Diablos Rojos del Mexico have swept MLB’s New York Yankees. pic.twitter.com/ebVRtYErls
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 26, 2024
Fans of Diablos Rojos passionately welcomed the Yankees, chanting “Welcome to Hell" in a nod to the home team"s nickname.
The atmosphere evoked memories of the legendary exhibition games in 1968 when baseball icon Mickey Mantle mesmerized Mexican spectators with his exceptional skills.
Reflecting on the experience, baseball enthusiast Roberto Morin shared, “Seeing Mickey and the other stars was amazing. While this time lacked some big names like Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge, the overall experience was still memorable."
Despite the absence of some key players, the Yankees" roster commanded respect from both fans and players alike. Viridiana Esqueda acknowledged the high caliber of the Yankees, stating, “They are among the best in MLB and have an important level to raise ours."
Omar Minaya, an adviser to the Yankees" operations department, explained logistical constraints prevented the team from bringing their entire roster to Mexico City. Nevertheless, tickets for the game sold out within an hour of release, with resale prices reaching up to $2,000 behind home plate.
The vibrant atmosphere at the stadium, akin to a World Baseball Classic, captivated Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton. “The atmosphere during the game was great. I think the fans were very engaged and excited. It was fun," Stanton remarked during a press conference.
Former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer, who pitched for Mexico"s most successful baseball team, also praised the energy of the fans, likening it to a lively celebration. “It"s like a party. Everybody is having a good time and they love baseball. It"s great to see," Bauer added.
Monday"s upcoming exhibition match will conclude the Yankees" spring schedule before they embark on their regular season journey, facing the Houston Astros on Thursday.
The matches mark the return of MLB to Mexico City following a successful regular-season series between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants last year.
