Why This World Series is Bigger than Baseball
Why This World Series is Bigger than Baseball
A closer look at the MLB's global impact
Whatsup Squad,
For the first time since their 1981 matchup, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in the World Series.
And while baseball is considered “America’s favorite pastime,” international players will play a pivotal role in the sport’s future.
MLB Gets Dream Matchup
The East Coast vs. West Coast clash is a dream come true for MLB executives.
Not only do the teams represent the two biggest cities in the US, but they also have bigger social media followings than any other teams in the league.
On top of that, the matchup features international superstars who transcend the sport.
Add that up, and you’re looking at the hottest ticket in town.
Dodgers, Ohtani, and Japan
The key driver behind the sky-high ticket prices is Japan’s Shohei Ohtani, who is in the playoffs for the first time in his MLB career.
Ohtani is a unique “two-way” baseball player who can excel as a hitter and a pitcher in the same game.
Although he is not pitching this season due to an elbow injury, Ohtani is expected to come back as a two-way superstar next year.
Along with winning multiple MVPs, this year he became the first ballplayer to reach 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
A sports economic professor estimated Ohtani’s economic impact for the 2024 season to be $770 million!
He has stoked national pride, even among the Japanese who don’t care about baseball
Game 5 of the NLDS became the most-watched postseason game ever in Japan because Ohtani is more than Japan’s baseball ambassador; he is a national hero.
With the stakes even higher against the Yankees, I’d be surprised if that record isn’t broken.
The Caribbean Leads the Way
While the Dodgers are drawing attention to the growth of baseball in Japan, you can’t ignore Latin America and the Caribbean when talking about the globalization of baseball.
This year, over 25% of players on Opening Day rosters were from the region.
Their presence in the MLB has had a transformative effect on the game, bringing in new styles of play and a rich cultural heritage that resonates with fans worldwide.
Baseball has deep roots in the region, and players like Juan Soto continue the legacy of greats like Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, and Roberto Clemente.
Yankees, Soto, and the Dominican Republic
Since the league began tracking the amount of international talent on opening day rosters in 1995, the Dominican Republic has led the way each year.
From pitching aces to power hitters, the DR has become one of the great breeding grounds for baseball talent in the world.
Last season, 11% of all MLB players hailed from the country that’s only slightly larger than Maryland.
Zooming in on the Yankees, they can thank Dominican Juan Soto and his extra inning heroics for landing them in the World Series.
Dominicans represent the largest immigrant group in New York, so with Soto leading the way, you can expect Dominican flags, food, and music to be widespread in New York throughout the series.
Soto isn’t the first Dominican to play for the Yankees, but his combination of talent and national pride are unlike anything Dominican Yankee fans have ever seen.
Final Thoughts
Along with record-setting ticket prices, this World Series is poised to drive unprecedented levels of global viewership and economic impact.
From Japan to the Caribbean, baseball’s international stars are drawing in a new audience.
Kids in Japan dream of being like Ohtani while Dominican kids want to be like Soto.
Going forward, with interest and talent continuing to rise around the globe, it won’t matter if you’re a baseball fan or not.
Representation is what matters.
Until next time ✌🏾
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