TOKYO, 30 March 2004 — New York Yankees suffered their first ever defeat in Japan losing to Central League champions Hanshin Tigers 7-11 in an exhibition game yesterday on the eve of the Major League Baseball season-opening series.
But team manager Joe Torre promised that the star-studded Yankees would play better against Tampa Bay Devil Rays today and tomorrow and show a game worthy of the team’s payroll, which is close to a major league record $200 million.
It will be MLB’s second season-opener in Japan, following a two-game series between New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2000.
Last year, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics were slated to play a series in Japan before the games were canceled at the last minute due to the tense global climate surrounding the war in Iraq.
For the Yankees, it is their first visit to Japan in 49 years when they toured against Japanese teams finishing 15 wins and a draw.
It is also a chance to showcase star outfielder Hideki Matsui after the Japanese slugger’s stellar first MLB season in which he hit .287 with 16 homers and 106 runs batted in 163 games.
