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Home , Baseball in Australia, Bret Boone, Brian Giles, Chuck LaMar, Danny Bautista, Danny Graves

THE OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER OF MAJOR LEAGUE ★ FIRST ISSUE 2004

Mexico City Plays Yankees, Devil Rays Open 2004 Host to Marlins Championship Season in and Astros ajor League Baseball visited Mexico City for the third time M in four seasons when the of the Devil Rays and of the Yankees participate in pregame pagentry at the Dome. defending Champion Marlins took on the in Serie de Primavera 2004, a two-game exhibition series on March 13 and 14 at Estadio . The enthusiastic fans of Mexico City received a real treat in the series opener when 300-game winner took the mound for the Astros. Clemens, who threw three , allowing two

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: © KAN/MLB PHOTOS; MLB PHOTOS runs while striking out three, was cheered throughout his performance with the fans chanting “Rocket! Rocket!” during his pre-game routine. “I felt it as soon as I came out of the dugout,” said Clemens during an in-game press conference. “When I jumped out of the dugout to warm up, the reaction of the fans ... I really felt it at that point. The fans down here love seeing people who they might not get an opportunity to see ever again.” ajor League Baseball opened its regular season game against the Yankees as they held off the potent New internationally for the fourth time in six years, as York offense. M MLB’s most storied franchise, the New York While for most of the MLB players it was an exciting Yankees, took on division rival the Tampa Bay Devil Rays introduction to a brand new culture and style of baseball, for in Tokyo, Japan in March. , the Yankees’ Japanese slugging , it The two-games of Opening Series 2004 were played was an emotional homecoming. For Matsui, a former star on before sellout crowds at the on March 30 and Tokyo’s , it was an opportunity to entertain his 31 with the Japanese fans making enough noise hometown fans again, this time dressed in the for both teams to compare the atmosphere to world famous Yankee . Matsui did not The Marlins stole the show in the that of a tense play-off game. “They’re disappoint his adoring fans as he launched a end, belting four home runs en route fanatical,” said Yankees Jason homerun into the right field seats in his first to a 6-1 victory. Game Two ended in a hard-fought 2-2 tie after nine Giambi of the Japanese fans. “It’s at-bat back in Japan. Matsui innings. Florida’s Korean-born first unbelievable how much they love thrilled the fans again as he baseman, Hee Seop Choi, smacked a the game. It’s exciting, and it gets homered a second time in the game-tying in the top of the you excited to play.” MLB season opener. As he ninth to force an exhibition-game tie. Opening Series 2004 was rounded the bases the 55,000 Over the weekend, more than 26,000 hosted in partnership with long-time MLB strong crowd filled the stadium with fans showed up to watch in Mexico City. partner Yomiuri and marks the second time that chants of “Home , Matsui! , Matsui!” Before Sunday’s game, Major Major League Baseball has opened its season in “It was unbelievable,” said Yankee captain and League Baseball and La Asociacion Japan. The first was in 2000 with a two-game series . “It’s tough enough to a home de Ligas Infantiles y Juveniles del between the and which drew run in BP, but when you have a whole country expecting you to Distrito Federal (ABIJDF) conducted 110,000 fans. This year’s Opening Series was supported by hit one and you hit one, that’s pretty difficult.” the Mexico City Youth Baseball Clinic event title and teams’ sponsor . Matsui finished Opening Series 2004 with three hits, at Foro Sol. Over 100 youngsters Both teams warmed up for the first games of the season including a , home run, three RBIs and two runs scored, attended the clinic where they were instructed on the fundamentals of with back-to-back exhibition games against two teams from earning the series Most Valuable Player honor. baseball by members of the Marlins Nippon , the Yomiuri Giants and the At the start of the trip both team’s shook off their jetlag at and Astros. It was truly a great day .All the games provided compelling baseball special workout sessions. The day aptly named Kids Day, at the ballpark for all. action including a surprising 11-7 win for the Tigers in their thanks to the promotional support of MLB presenting sponsors continued on page 2 MLB Around the World Eastern Division Players to Watch Japan Opening Series 2004 New York continued from page 1 Yankees Jason Giambi McDonalds and Mizuno,saw more than 30,000 kids and Derek Jeter parents enjoy a schedule of activities, competitions and Hideki Matsui entertainment built around the workouts of the two teams. Players signed autographs and posed for pictures with kids in between taking practice swings and fielding drills Red Sox throughout the day. More than 70 lucky prize winners from the Kids Day attendees were escorted down onto the field to Pedro Martinez watch the action up close, meet the MLB stars and go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the team clubhouses. The day’s

Manny Ramirez TOP:CLOCKWISE FROM GETTY IMAGES; MLB PHOTOS; IMAGES events were also supported by New Era, Majestic, Sports Authority, Wacoal and Upper Deck. During the trip players from both teams also made appearances at Camp Zama and Yokosuka military bases to visit with American and Japanese kids and attended a Javy Lopez Melvin Mora special reception hosted by the US Ambassador to celebrate 150 years of US-Japanese relations. “It has been something special, there’s no question about it” said Derek Jeter. “As a player, you should cherish it, because there’s a chance you might never do it again.” Devil Rays General , Chuck LaMar, also spoke Clockwise from top: No shortage of Derek Jeter fans in highly of the trip, “It’s been a fabulous experience. I don’t Tokyo; Yankees stars Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui greet Japanese youngsters on the field at Kids Day; Matsui hoists think any of us could have envisioned the impact it would have on us. People here have been great. And it has been the Opening Series MVP trophy to the crowd’s delight. tremendous exposure opening up in front of the world.” Opening Series 2004 also received comprehensive retail Close to 300,000 Japanese fans attended the four days of support through promotional campaigns at MLB retail exhibition and regular season games in Tokyo and has Tampa Bay Devil Rays partners Sports Authority, Japan Sports Vision, Xebio and further cemented the international season opener as a Danys Baez Alpen/Depo. Event and team merchandise was also regular fixture in the MLB calendar. Previous international available to fans at the Tokyo Dome concession stands and openers have also been held in Monterrey, Mexico in 1999 Carl Crawford an MLB official souvenir store located in nearby Prism Hall. and San Juan, in 2001. Tino Martinez

MLB Sponsorship

Latin America Presidente Becomes Official Beer of MLB in the Dominican Republic ajor League Baseball has signed a new three-year agreement with the Dominican Republic’s Mleading beer brand Presidente. The new deal provides Presidente with exclusive promotional rights within the beer category in the Dominican Republic through December 2006. With Dominican-born players now making up almost 10 per cent of MLB team rosters, Presidente is well set to capitalize on the strength of the MLB brand in its baseball hungry marketplace. As part of the new deal Presidente will host the 2004 All-Star Balloting program in the Dominican Republic with 500,000 paper ballots being distributed in 300 cormados. Cormados are small stores that turn into bars at night and hold from 50 - 400 people. In support of their balloting sponsorship, Presidente will also execute a promotion to send four winners to the All- Canada Votes Star Game in Houston in July. All-Star Balloting in the Dominican Republic is scheduled to begin ogers on May 15th. All-Star balloting is also available internationally in Japan, RCommunications is Canada and Puerto Rico and to fans visiting Major League Baseball’s the in-stadium sponsor of website, www.MLB.com. All-Star Fan Balloting in Canada. This marks the third year of Rogers’ MLB All-Star Balloting Returns to Puerto Rico participation in the All- n Puerto Rico, Pepsi will once again host the 2004 All-Star Balloting program with 500,000 Star Balloting Program. Ipaper ballots being distributed in participating Grande Supermarkets and Pizza Hut locations Over 1.5 million ballots throughout the island. All-Star Balloting in Puerto Rico is scheduled to begin on May 17th and marks will be distributed to fans the sixth year that All-Star Game ballots have been available at retail locations on the island. at all home games at the This year, All-Star Balloting will also take place in-stadium at the Expos Puerto Rican SkyDome in Toronto and home-away-from-home, Stadium, in San Juan. Pepsi will present the in-stadium Olympic Stadium in balloting program in Puerto Rico from May 18th through May 23rd by distributing more than Montreal. 120,000 paper ballots to fans attending the games against the , Giants, and . 2 ballpark American League MLB Sponsorship Western Division

Players to Watch Asia Anaheim Angels Meiji Yasuda Leverages MLB Sponsorship to Garret Anderson Grow Customer Base Jose Guillen n conjunction with a significant media blitz, Meiji Yasuda conducted several Francisco Rodriguez IMLB promotional campaigns to promote their new sponsorship of Major League Baseball.To encourage potential customers to complete Life Plan Proposal questionnaires, Meiji Yasuda offered chances to win MLB goods – a Blalock bandana featuring Hideki Matsui, their official spokesperson, or a MLB folding bicycle. Anyone who filled out a questionnaire was automatically entered. Winners were selected through a random drawing. In total, over 100,000 prizes were awarded. ™ To promote customer loyalty, Meiji Yasuda is also running a number of campaigns in which they present current members with original New York Yankees premiums. In the Map 1st Anniversary Present campaign, Meiji gave each member who responded to their questionnaire a gift for their loyalty. Premiums included authentic stadium jackets and team jerseys. Every Vote Counts – am/pm Sponsors Balloting Again Mariners his year’s All-Star Balloting in Japan marks am/pm’s fourth consecutive year as the Official TSponsor of offline All-Star Fan Balloting. Running from May 14th through June 13th, Freddy Garcia Raul Ibanez Japanese baseball fans can place votes for their favorite Major League Baseball players at Edgar Martinez participating am/pm retail outlets nationwide. This year, am/pm produced 5,000,000 ballots. Ichiro am/pm also ran an All-Star Balloting Sweepstakes, giving voters the chance to win original ™ am/pm All-Star Game prizes or products from co-sponsor Lotte. Last year, more than 1.2 million ballots were collected in Japan – almost a 25% return rate – making it one of the most successful international balloting programs ever. Europe Burger King Deal “Hideki Matsui Go! Go! Magnum” o promote sales of Magnum Dry, Suntory ran a promotion to coincide with their new can Renewed in Tdesigns featuring Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees. Consumers entered to win by Germany collecting the required number of application stickers attached to Magnum Dry products at retail outlets throughout Japan. Over 10,000 winners, randomly picked by lottery, received n Germany, Major League MLB premiums goods, including New York Yankees stadium jackets, sports duffels and IBaseball has renewed its baseball caps. partnership with Burger King as sponsor of its nationwide youth grassroots initiative, Play Ball!, Aeon Begins Season with Focus on MLB for the third consecutive year. Capitalizing on the success his spring, Aeon conducted two programs to highlight the ongoing partnership between their of last year’s promotion, two Tstores and Major League Baseball. The first of these campaigns gave customers a chance to win MLB branded million Play Ball! branded tray Hello Kitty premium items. Anyone who spent more than 3,000 yen at participating Aeon stores received an entry . liners featuring information on the Winners were selected through a random drawing of all entry cards. During the course of the promotion 11,000 nationwide program, will appear consumers won exclusive MLB Hello Kitty team dolls and MLB team t-shirts. in over 400 Burger King In their second spring campaign, Aeon gave consumers the chance to win specially designed MLB t-shirts featuring restaurants in Germany between ballparks from around the – from in Boston to in Los Angeles. Customers mid-April and mid- who spent more than 3,000 yen at participating Aeon stores received also an entry card to enter the win in the MLB May. The Ballpark T-shirt Giveaway campaign. Winners were selected through a random promotions will drawing – 5,000 consumers received one of six different MLB Ballpark t-shirts. also link into in- store publication, MLB Signs Four New Sponsors, Renews with Three King Magazine, that has a ajor League Baseball recently announced it has reached agreement with four new readership of Msponsors for the Japanese marketplace, while a further three sponsors have nearly half a renewed their deals. The new sponsors include Suntory’s Magnum Dry Beer, Meiji million. In addition, Yasuda Life Insurance, Kagome Fruit and Vegetable Juice and Cosmetics. to help generate Renewing agreements with MLB were , Komatsu (heavy machinery) and interest and aid Sato Pharmaceuticals for its Yunker nutritional beverage. recruitment at the As part of Opening Series 2004, MLB and Ricoh reached an agreement allowing grassroots level, four Play Ball! Ricoh to serve as official patch sponsor of the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Ricoh, which was title events will also be staged in sponsor for the event, had the right to place a patch on the game uniforms and batting practice jersey of players and Burger King restaurants in several coaches on each team. cities across the country. Major League Baseball now has sponsor relationships with 16 companies in the Japanese market.

3 MLB Licensing & Retail Western Division Players to Watch Asia Opening Series 2004 Memorabilia Part of Adrian Beltre Eric Gagne Major League Baseball Authentication Program Shawn Green Kazuhisa Ishii ajor League Baseball authenticated game-used and autographed Paul Lo Duca Mmemorabilia from the Opening Series 2004 games played in Japan between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in connection with the Major League Baseball Authentication Program. Brian Giles The Major League Baseball Authentication Program combines the services Ryan Klesko of an independent third party authenticator with a state-of-the-art hologram, a serial numbering system and an online verification process that easily distinguishes authenticated autographs and game-used memorabilia from other items on the market. Since its inception in 2001, the Major League Baseball Authentication Program has certified over San Francisco 500,000 pieces of memorabilia as genuine. Giants During Opening Series 2004, autographed and game-used items, including game-used , jerseys, bases and line up cards, were authenticated by an independent third party authenticator from Deloitte Pedro Feliz Touche Tohmatsu. Each of these items was affixed with one of two tamper- Jason Schmidt proof holograms created by OpSec, U.S. to identify its Major League Baseball authenticity. Each item and its unique identification number is processed and posted on the official program website – www.MLB.com – for easy reference by consumers guaranteeing Major League Baseball fans Shawn Chacon that the items they acquire are 100% authentic. Pets in Pinstripes – Three New Licensees in Japan other, Inc., who specializes in pet wear and pet accessories, will develop an MLB dog apparel and accessories line. MMother’s first line will consist of uniform-style shirts available in New York Yankees, , New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers designs. These products will be available for purchase through Mother’s four pet lifestyle Danny Bautista stores located within Tokyo, in Mother’s mail order catalog, as well as at pet stores throughout Japan. Luis Gonzalez Furukawa Co., Ltd., will introduce a collection of MLB skateboards and scooters using New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, , and New York Mets designs. These skateboards (retail price 3,980 yen) and scooters (retail price 2,9080 yen) will be sold in sports stores throughout Japan beginning in late May. PC accessories maker, JDC Co., Ltd. will launch a line of computer mouse (retail price 3,000 yen) designed to resemble New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers helmets. JDC hopes to Latin America eventually expand the collection to feature designs of all thirty MLB clubs. These products can be found throughout Japan at electrical appliance stores, department Puerto Rico stores, GMS, ballparks, and variety shops. Licensing Rights Transferred to MLB Japan Retailers Rally Round Opening Series International ajor sports specialty retailers Sports Authority, Xebio, Alpen/Depo and Japan MSports Vision lent their marketing support to the Japan Opening Series.By s part of an internal running in-store sweepstakes programs offering consumers the opportunity to win Areorganization, the tickets to the Opening Series, the retailers increased foot traffic and overall management of licensing rights merchandise sales. MLB and major licensees New Era Cap Company and Majestic for Puerto Rico has been Athletic provided prizes for consumers as well, including Opening Series event logo transferred from Major League caps and tee shirts. Baseball’s domestic licensing to its international licensing Fujisankei Living Goes Premium department. Since the reorganization, MLB has licensed ujisankei Living Service entered into a premium license agreement in Japan to provide premium products for MLB several new licensees in the Fsponsors and marketing partners. The first issue of their catalog features 13 categories of premium products, ranging in region, Dan River, which assortment from household items to business and travel to Japanese- manufactures bedding and style items. Fujisankei Living is also developing original product to meet quilts, Conair for personal individual sponsors’ needs for unique, appealing premiums. electric appliances and Maytag Corp. for MLB branded personal Kanebo Foods: “Let’s Playgum” refrigerator units. For further information on licensing n Spring 2004, licensee Kanebo Foods reintroduced their Playgum brand opportunities in Puerto Rico Iusing MLB team logos. First launched 40 years ago, Playgum sells for please contact Licensing 100 yen and is -seller in Japan. American pop image Director, Deidra Varona at MLB advertisements placed in Cool Trance, Street Jack, Smart and other trend International. publications help position MLB Playgum as a lifestyle item.

4 ballpark National League MLB Licensing & Retail Eastern Division Players to Watch Concept Sports to Provide Mobile Merchandise Unit for MLB Roadshow Florida Marlins ajor League Baseball has partnered with world leading event merchandiser, Concept Sports,to provide mobile merchandising Munits for its Australian Roadshow. The new outlets will offer all participants of MLB’s interactive fan Roadshow with the opportunity to purchase their favorite team’s gear thanks to the extensive range of product that will be featured along with the benefit of its mobile credit card facilities. Concept Sports was the official venue retailer for the 2000 Olympics, the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics and the 2003 Philadelphia Rugby World Cup and will be the official venue retailer for this summer’s Athens Olympics. Phillies Canada Sportchek Features MLB in Sports Concept Shop he Forzani group, owner of the Canadian sports retail chain, Sportchek, launched a new Sports Concept shop in January at Tits flagship store in Toronto. The new shop will prominently feature a wide range of Major League Baseball licensed Atlanta Braves J.D. Drew merchandise including Toronto Blue Jays, Montreal Expos and other MLB team items. Fozani’s new retail initiative is expected to significantly boost its sales of MLB product. Sportchek currently has 108 stores located throughout Canada. Europe MLB Stationery Set For Strong Sales New York Mets in Year Two ajor League Baseball’s Dutch based European stationery Mlicensee, New Edition, has reported strong sales for its second season. New Edition launched its 2004 collection, featuring New York Yankees and LA Dodgers stationery, bags and accessories, in Frankfurt in January targeting school children during this year’s Montreal Expos back-to-school period. Livan Hernandez New Edition supported the new product line launch with a Tomokazu Ohka consumer promotion in the Netherlands, giving customers of their Jose Vidro school diary a chance to win MLB clothing. Entrants were asked to submit designs for a New York Yankees jersey. The New Edition school diary, which features school information and fun, informative facts about America and its national pastime, baseball, is an integral part of the MLB collection. Latin America New Era Celebrates Anniversary Year New Montreal he hottest cap in Europe continues to be the New Era 59fifty which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2004. New Era Expos Store at Twill kick off its year long celebration in Europe with a special offering of Authentic Cooperstown Collection World Series commemorative caps: 1954-2004. Each month New Era will release a decade of these caps adorned with the World Series Hiram Bithorn emblems starting with 1954-1950: New York Giants 1954, Brooklyn Dodgers 1955, New York Yankees 1956, Milwaukee Stadium Braves 1957, New York Yankees 1958, Los Angeles Dodgers 1959 and 1960. New Era’s distributor network continues to expand across the continent, broadening the exposure of MLB branded he Montreal Expos headwear from Portugal to Poland and all points inbetween. New Era Topened the season in plans to bring the network together in June for their European Sales Puerto Rico with a brand Conference to be held in Barcelona. new retail store at Hiram New Era caps are set to be advertised across key European territories Bithorn Stadium. MLB in top youth and music magazine titles. Reflecting the influence of the themed graphics are urban music scene in creating their market, New Era are planning to prominent throughout align the brand with this demographic with a series of cutting edge the 1,600 square foot advertisements over the coming months. store, which also features a 42” Plasma MLB Launches European POS Program TV that broadcasts the games live in store so ajor League Baseball announced the arrival of its European POS fans don’t miss the Mprogram which is available to all licensees and their distributors. action. The vast product The offer comprises of three images, one Americana and two offering includes baseball-themed under the banner heading American Lifestyle.Two Authentic jerseys and sizes of POS materials are available – A2 poster size and A3 window caps. Dynasty Apparel display size, as well as informative postcards. Licensees and and Fifth and Ocean distributors should contact Sally Hoque at IMG, MLB’s European created event-specific licensing agent, for more information on how to obtain this material items that are available to help promote their MLB product lines to their key retail partners only at the Expos store. across Europe.

5 American League MLB Broadcast Central Division Global Players to Watch Growth in European TV Exposure his year, more European countries willl have access to Jacque Jones TMajor League Baseball and live coverage of the All- Brad Radke Star Game and the World Series.National broadcasters Shannon Stewart in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and Denmark will show regular baseball games throughout the season, as well as bring dedicated fans all the news from the Major Leagues with popular weekly shows. Moreover, Chicago White Sox NASN will continue to bring UK viewers their favorite moments from the archives, with Classic MLB games throughout the year. Esteban Loaiza Magglio Ordonez Television and Radio Agreements on the Rise Frank Thomas uring the early part of 2004 Major League Baseball renewed thirteen television and radio agreements and added two new Dtelevision partners. This group is comprised of 12 broadcasters that reach individual countries, and three Pan Regional partners. Over the years, Major League Baseball has maximized its television and radio exposure to its international fan base by Carlos Guillen developing long-term relationships with active media partners. Major League Baseball is very pleased to add Telemax of Hermosillo, Bobby Higginson Mexico, Solar Sports of the Philippines, and CDN of the Dominican Republic to the growing group of MLB broadcast partners. Ivan Rodriguez Major League Baseball is also very proud to announce a four-year extension of its longest standing media partnerships worldwide with Television Distribution System (TDS) in Curacao. The agreement with TDS’s parent, United Telecommunication System, assures that MLB fans in Curacao, Bonaire, and St. Maarten will enjoy MLB games through over-the-air broadcaster TeleCuracao, TDS’s Channel 82, and access to the MLB Package.

Cleveland Indians Jody Gerut Key: 2004 TV, Radio Renewals and New Agreements ASG All-Star Game Victor Martinez List does not include existing broadcast agreements. DS Division Series C.C. Sabathia LCS League Championship Series Broadcaster Country(s) Highlights WS World Series Cable Onda Panama Regular Season Canal + Spain, Andorra Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Carlos Beltran Canal + N.V. Netherlands, Luxembourg Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Angel Berroa Juan Gonzalez CDN Dominican Republic Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS (also includes Radio Rights) Channel 5 United Kingdom, Ireland Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Deportes 13 Puerto Rico Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS ESPN International Pan Africa Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Prime Minister ESPN International Pan Latin America Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Koizumi and NY’s ESPN International Pan Middle East Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Giuliani Pitch into International Pan Latin America Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Hall of Fame FOX Sports International Pan Middle East Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS ormer Mayor of New York, NASN United Kingdom, Ireland Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS FRudolph Giuliani and the NOS Netherlands Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi, threw out the Premiere Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS ceremonial first pitches for Game Luxembourg, Lichtenstein One of the MLB Japan Opening Publieventos Radio Mexico Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Series on March 30. The pitches thrown by Mayor Giuliani and Radio / TV Marti Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Prime Minister Koizumi were (also includes Radio Rights) caught by Timo Perez of the Rogers Sports Net Canada Regular Season, DS, LCS Devil Rays and Hideki Matsui of the Yankees, respectively. Mayor Rogers Cable Canada MLB Extra Innings Package Giuliani and Prime Minister Sky Italia Italy, San Marino, Vatican City Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Koizumi each signed the baseball that they tossed and then Mayor Solar Sports* Philippines Regular Season Giuliani’s baseball was given to TeleCuracao Curacao Regular Season,ASG, DS, LCS, WS the Baseball Hall of Fame in TV Distribution System (also includes Radio Rights) Tokyo, Japan while Prime Minister Koizumi’s baseball was TeleMax* Mexico Regular Season given to the National Baseball Televisora Nacional Panama Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Viasat Sport Denmark, Norway, Sweden Regular Season, ASG, DS, LCS, WS

6 ballpark National League MLB Market Development Central Division Australia Players to Watch Chicago Cubs Australian Player Signings Kids Train Moises Alou Double Due to Academy with the Pros Aramis Ramirez Down Under hanks in no small part to the successes of the TMajor League Baseball Australian uring the Major Academy the number of Australians signed by DLeague Baseball off- MLB clubs has doubled in just over three years. Houston Astros season a dozen of There are now 96 Australians playing Australia’s professional professional baseball. Four years ago, the players turned their hand to coaching, comparitive numbers were 48 pro and 32 college providing , and Roger Clemens players. The Major League Baseball Australian kids with a memorable day Academy has developed into a unique learning fundamentals from some of the development program that effectively prepares country’s rising stars. Events in Brisbane, St. Louis Cardinals young players for the rigors of professional and Sydney sold-out in advance as baseball. hundreds of kids ranging in age from eight to To date, 46 Academy alumni have signed twelve embraced the Training with the Pros opportunity. Edgar Renteria contracts with Major League clubs. This The Training with the Pros program plants the seeds for future local club represents one third of all the players eligible to players, develops fan recognition and loyalty toward Australian players and be signed at the academy. solidifies the relationship of current Australian players with development efforts.

Cincinnati Reds Europe Adam Dunn Frubes Builds MLB Fan Base in UK Danny Graves Ken Griffey, Jr. he second year of Major League Baseball’s partnership with popular children’s dessert brand Frubes Tbrought the game of baseball to a wide new audience. Play Ball! with Frubes is Major League Baseball’s UK grassroots initiative and last year, with the support of Frubes, the Play Ball! with Frubes Fan Milwaukee Club was launched in the UK. Through regular communication including magazines and a monthly E-zine, the Brewers Fan Club aims to educate children about Major League Baseball, its teams and star players, and Danny Kolb encourage participation in the 20 Play Ball! with Frubes Youth Leagues around the UK. The new Fan Club was promoted on more than 4 million packs of Frubes and supported with an integrated marketing campaign across children’s print, television and web media. By the end of 2003 more than 21,000 children had signed up. Due to the success Ben Sheets of the promotion. Yoplait are continuing to advertise the Fan Club on all 9 and 12-pack Frubes tubes throughout 2004. In addition to their baseball-branded Frubes pouches, kids can also continue to register via the Play Ball! with Frubes website, Pittsburgh Pirates www.playballwithfrubes.com. Jayson Bay Oliver Perez Mexico Jose Mesa Craig Wilson MLB Introduces Baseball to More Than 50,000 Mexico City Kids he Pitch, Hit & Run program completed its fourth year in Mexico City this past March with the top 120 kids Tparticipating in a skills competition held at the Liga Petrolera baseball complex. This year, the six-week program was run in 150 public schools in Mexico City for kids 9-12 years of age. The Pitch, Hit & Run program introduces school kids to the basic skills used in baseball and is run by Major League Visit Our Website , the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, Italy and Mexico. Since its inception in 1994 the program has reached over 3,000,000 kids worldwide. LB.com offers the All program participants are eligible to compete in a series of competitions to determine the top performers in the skills of Mmost complete pitching, hitting and running. The regional competitions were held at area Little League complexes throughout Mexico City. baseball information on The winners received a pack of MLB prizes and were the web, including up- presented their winning trophies by Major Leaguers Miguel to-date statistics, game Cabrera and in an on-field ceremony prior to the summaries, extensive game at Estadio Foro Sol between the Houston Astros and historical information, the Florida Marlins before more than 15,000 fans. Twelve exclusive features about participants in the final competition also were awarded Major League Baseball scholarships to area Little Leagues. events and programs, The Pitch, Hit & Run program in Mexico City is run in on-line ticket sales, cooperation with the Direccion General de Educacion Fisica baseball merchandise, and the Secretaria de Educacion Publica.Participating authenticated schools receive a complete set of baseball equipment and memorabilia and teaching resources consisting of training videos, a collectibles, fantasy comprehensive teacher's manual and information guides. games, radio broadcast of games, pitch-by pitch Astros Mike Gallo and program coordinator Gema enactment of games, Franco present the 1st place trophies to the 11-12 year-old and video highlights. champions of the Pitch, Hit & Run skills competition. (Right)

7 MLB International MLB Player Spotlights Directory

Central Office (New York) International Superstar Kazuo Matsui (Phone +1-212-931-7500) Paul Archey Kazuo Matsui Senior VP, International Business Operations ello, everyone. My name is Kazuo Matsui. I love New crowns, HYork.” That’s the way Kaz Matsui introduced himself four Gold Gloves, and TV & Sponsorship Sales Italo Zanzi to the Big Apple at a press conference in Manhattan on was named the VP, International Broadcast December 10, 2003 after agreeing to a three-year MVP Sales & Latin American / contract to play for the New York Mets. in 1998. At the ripe US Hispanic Marketing Jane Kim After a short period of getting acquainted with New York age of 24 in 2000, a Senior Coordinator, in the off-season, Matsui wasted no time making a name fan poll voted him the Client Services for himself at the Major League level once the season greatest Japanese began. On the first pitch he saw as a member of the shortstop of all-time. Market Development

Jim Small Mets, the flashy shortstop blasted a home run over the Matsui’s finest FROM BOTTOM:WILLIAMSON/MLB PHOTOS; RICH PILLING/MLB PHOTOS JOHN VP,Market Development center field wall at Atlanta’s Turner Field. season was 2002, James Pearce Matsui, the first Japanese to sign with a Major when he led Seibu to Director, Market Development League club, didn’t stop there, either. He laced a RBI double the by Mike McClellan down the right field line in the second , drew a bases becoming only the Game Development Specialist loaded walk in the third, and doubled in the fifth. With two eighth player since 1950 to hit .300 or better with more than Mike Cafaro runners aboard in the seventh, the Braves showed that 30 homers and 30 steals. He also posted career-highs with Coordinator, Events Matsui had already earned the respect from his new 119 runs and 46 doubles. That same year, he starred in a Licensing counterparts. They walked him intentionally to load the bases. series against a team of Major League All-Stars, batting .440. Shawn Lawson-Cummings It was a spectacular Major League debut for one of the Clubs across the Pacific noticed. Following another VP,Licensing & Sponsorship Deidra Varona most decorated players in Japan’s rich baseball history, and standout season in 2003 (.305, 33 HR, 84 RBI), Matsui Director, it was exactly what the Mets were hoping for when they declared his intention to come to America. “Little Matsui” International Licensing lured the former Seibu Lion to America with a three-year soon settled on the Mets, making the Big Apple a town Jacquelyn Walsh contract. A New York newspaper celebrated his banner for two Matsuis (Hideki, a.k.a. “Big Matsui,” stars for the Senior Manager, International Sponsorship, introduction with the headline, “Fan-KAZ-tic!” Yankees; the two are not related). Retail & Client Services “When he hit that home run, there was electricity in the Kazuo has not disappointed, showcasing his prodigious Josehine Fuzesi dugout,” said Mets manager Art Howe. “It was like skills as well as a style all his own – he’s known for a Senior Account Executive someone plugged us in.” keen fashion sense and for shading his hair different Television Operations Originally drafted by Seibu as a pitcher, Matsui’s career in colors. His first at-bat in Atlanta was about as stylish as it Russell Gabay Japan became a testament to power, speed, and durability. gets. Howe compared the start of his new shortstop’s Executive Producer The 28-year-old hit 69 home runs over his last two seasons career to a fairy tale. Margie O’Neill Field Producer in Japan, stole more than 25 bases each year from 1996- “It was more than I ever imagined,” Matsui said of his Tom Guidice 2002, and assembled a string of 1,143 consecutive games debut. Senior Broadcast Specialist played. The switch-hitting seven-time All-Star won three It’s early, but Matsui has Mets fans imagining even bigger.

Japan Office (Tokyo) (Phone: +81 3 3507-5799) Jim Small MLB Superstar Managing Director Magglio Ordoñez Europe, Middle East & Africa Office (London) (Phone: +44 20 7453-7000) agglio Ordoñez began the 2004 season in much the same average, 30 homers, and 100 RBI during that span. The 2002 Mway he had spent the previous six years with the Chicago campaign was a monumental one for Ordoñez, who set career- Clive Russell Director White Sox – hitting with the type of consistency that could land highs in runs scored (116), doubles (47), home runs (38), RBI Alessandra Valerio him in Cooperstown one day. (135), batting average (.320), and Manager, Marketing Ordoñez has long been one of (.597). Jason Holowaty Magglio Ordoñez Manager, Game Development baseball’s most feared hitters, and it The four-time AL All-Star didn’t take long for him to show that continues to add to a legacy that Australia Office (Sydney) 2004 may be the year when the may one day make him arguably the (Phone: +6129 238-2292) quiet superstar becomes one of finest player ever from Venezuela. Tom Nicholson baseball’s household names. When His .307 batting average and .527 Director the White Sox came to New York in slugging percentage (entering 2004) the home-opening series at Yankee are the highest marks ever among Stadium, Ordoñez led the visitors to MLB’s Venezuelan-born players, a a split by piling up eight RBI in their list that includes such present stars two wins. He captured the first as Bobby Abreu and Richard Hidalgo American League Player of the Week to others like , Davey honors of the 2004 season. Concepcion, , and Andres For Ordoñez, such productivity is Galarraga. typical. The native of Venezuela has The new manager of White Sox, hit higher than .300 for each of the Ozzie Guillen, has made a mark in last five seasons and has posted a different way – he’s the first over 30 home runs and 110 RBI Venezuelan native to manage in the each year from 1999-2002. He was Majors. With Ordoñez in place, one of just five players in baseball to Guillen has quite a foundation to have four straight years with a .300 build on. 8 ballpark