Major League Baseball players will tour Japan for All-Star Series 2014
November event will feature games in Osaka, Tokyo, Sapporo and Okinawa
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association jointly announced today that All-Stars and other accomplished Major Leaguers will travel to Japan this November to play a five-game series against "Samurai Japan" (Japan's National Team) in "All-Star Series 2014."
The 2014 renewal of the event will mark the 11th All-Star Series and the 36th time overall that a team of Major Leaguers has toured Japan for exhibition games, dating back to 1908. The current five-game format was first played in 2006, which was the last time the MLB All-Stars faced off against the Japan All-Stars. MLB's 2006 roster - which included All-Stars such as Bronson Arroyo, Ryan Howard, John Lackey, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Jose Reyes, David Wright and Chase Utley - went 5-0 in the All-Star Series.
All-Star Series games will be hosted in Osaka (Kyocera Dome), Tokyo (Tokyo Dome), Sapporo (Sapporo Dome) and Okinawa (Okinawa Cellular Stadium).
Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said: "Major League Baseball is delighted that many of our finest players will represent our sport during the 2014 Japan All-Star Tour. This event will not only resume a longtime baseball tradition, but also will illustrate the historic bond that links us to our Japanese friends and peers. On behalf of our Clubs, I thank Nippon Professional Baseball, and all of us at Major League Baseball look forward to another memorable experience."
MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said: "The Players are once again excited to be traveling to Japan to participate in 'All-Star Series 2014.' The sport of baseball has played an important role in creating the bond that exists between the United States and Japan, and the current generation of Major Leaguers is thrilled to be doing their part to strengthen that relationship. We thank the Japanese Professional Baseball Players Association and Nippon Professional Baseball for helping make these games possible."
All-Star Series 2014 Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 11th: Exhibition Game vs. Hanshin Tigers/Yomiuri Giants at Koshien
Wednesday, Nov. 12th: Game #1 at Kyocera Dome, Osaka
Thursday, Nov. 13th: Travel Day
Friday, Nov. 14th: Game #2 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
Saturday, Nov. 15th: Game #3 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
Sunday, Nov. 16th: Game #4 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
Monday, Nov. 17th: Travel Day
Tuesday, Nov. 18th: Game #5 at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Wednesday, Nov. 19th: Travel Day
Thursday, Nov. 20th: Exhibition Game vs Team Japan, Okinawa