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By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–It was 20 years ago that Major League Baseball expanded with two more teams. Last time that Major League Baseball expanded was in 1998, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were born, one in each league. Also, in 1998 the Milwaukee Brewers moved to the National League, in order the keep the leagues with even numbers of teams. Today MLB is doing very well economically, some of the television contracts are the largest ever even in the billions of dollars.

More than ever baseball has become international. Regular season games have been played in Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and there is no doubt this is here to stay. There are still some cities in North America, like Montreal, Canada; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; and Nashville, Tennessee or Charlotte, North Carolina, that could (in the future) gather enough support for a Major League franchise. Montreal, already had a team until 2004. Then the franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. and are now the Washington Nationals. Washington had a franchise, the old Washington Senators until 1971, so this “move” made sense. Washington is the capital, and there is enough population not only in the District of Columbia but in neighboring states. By the way, in 1972 the Senators franchise moved to Dallas,Texas and are today the Texas Rangers.

Which countries and cities outside the United States would make the most sense for an expansion team? The obvious choices are places like Mexico City, Mexico, with over 21 million population, one of the largest cities in the world. Montreal, Canada (again) because there was a franchise there. Tokyo, Japan is currently the most populous city on earth with over 22 million people. And then there are others, because of their connection to baseball historically and geography.

Although not as big or as populous, Cuba, is only 90 miles from Miami. Cuba was the only country in the world to ever have a professional US American franchise. Cuba once had a team in the International League (AAA), the Havana Sugar Kings, an American franchise which ended after 1961. Not because it was unpopular or because of economic problems, but because the Cuban government in 1961 officially eradicated all professional sports in the country, as they became a communist government ruling over all in the island. Today Cuba has a population of 11 million people.

Major League Baseball led by Commissioner Rob Manfred said this past July 2017 about possible expansion:

“Let me go back to a conversation we’ve had already. I think for us to expand we need to be resolved in Tampa and Oakland in terms of their stadium situations. As much as I hope that both Oakland and Tampa will get stadiums, I think it would be difficult to convince the owners to go forward with an expansion until those situations are resolved”.(quote). Mr.Manfred also mentioned that after the Oakland and Tampa Bay stadiums situations are resolved he has three places in mind: Montreal, Canada, Charlotte, North Carolina and Mexico City, Mexico, for possible expansion.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez a former candidate for the broadcast wing of the MLB Hall of Fame, Spanish play by play talent for the Los Angeles Angels (TV) and Oakland A’s (Radio), and does That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com