Wikipedia

MLB Tokyo Series 2025

MLB Tokyo Series 2025 was a two-game Major League Baseball (MLB) series between the Los Angeles Dodgers, the defending 2024 World Series champions, and the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19, 2025.[4][5] The series was officially the Tokyo Series presented by Guggenheim due to sponsorship from Guggenheim Partners.

MLB Tokyo Series 2025
Teams
DateMarch 18, 2025 (2025-03-18) – March 19, 2025 (2025-03-19); 6:10 a.m. EDT / 7:10 JST (both games)
VenueTokyo Dome
CityTokyo, Japan
Managers
UmpiresLance Barrett, Mike Estabrook, John Libka, Bill Miller
Television
TV announcersUS: Jason Benetti (Game 1) and Adam Amin (Game 2) play-by-play; A. J. Pierzynski (both games) color[1]
RadioCubs: 670 The Score, WRTO 1200; Dodgers: AM570, KTNQ 1020[2][3]

Background

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These were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) games to be played in Japan since the 2019 season opened in Japan.[5] MLB has a long history of playing games in Japan, dating back to 1931 when a team of American All-Stars toured the country. This was the sixth MLB season to open in Japan, following opening games in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019.[5] Several notable Japanese players participated in the series, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki for the Cubs.[6]

Broadcast and schedule

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Exhibition games

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Batting practice before the Dodgers vs Yomiuri Giants exhibition game
 
Interior of Tokyo Dome decorated for the series

The Dodgers and Cubs played exhibition games against two Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams, the Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants, on March 15 and 16.[7] These exhibition games gave fans an opportunity to see some of the best players from both leagues compete against each other. The exhibitions were aired regionally by SportsNet LA in Los Angeles and Marquee Sports Network in Chicago.[8][9] Rights in Japan were held by Prime Video Japan.[10] In these four games, the Tigers defeated both the Dodgers and Cubs, while the Dodgers and Cubs each defeated the Giants.

Date Time Result Attendance Notes Ref.
March 15, 2025 (Japan) 12:00 p.m. (JST) Chicago Cubs 0
Hanshin Tigers 3 		41,878 WP: Mombetsu, Save: Iwazaki
LP: Thielbar, HR: none 		[11][12]
March 14, 2025 (US) 11:00 p.m. (EDT)
March 15, 2025 7:00 p.m. (JST) Los Angeles Dodgers 5
Yomiuri Giants 1 		42,064 WP: Wrobleski, Save: none
LP: Togo, HR: Conforto, Ohtani, T. Hernández 		[13][14]
6:00 a.m. (EDT)
March 16, 2025 (Japan) 12:00 p.m. (JST) Los Angeles Dodgers 0
Hanshin Tigers 3 		42,095 WP: Saiki, Save: Ishii
LP: Snell, HR: Sato 		[15][16]
March 15, 2025 (US) 11:00 p.m. (EDT)
March 16, 2025 7:00 p.m. (JST) Chicago Cubs 4
Yomiuri Giants 2 		42,026 WP: Taillon, Save: none
LP: Griffin, HR: none 		[17][18]
6:00 a.m. (EDT)

Tokyo Series games

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Fans arriving at Tokyo Dome for Game 1 of the series

The Tokyo Series games between the Dodgers and Cubs were broadcast nationally in the United States by Fox Sports in English and Fox Deportes in Spanish.[19] Fox reportedly decided to have their announcers remain in the US and broadcast remotely due to other obligations such as the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.[1] Nippon Television and Prime Video Japan held broadcast rights in Japan.[20][10]

Date Time Matchup / Result Attendance Notes Ref.
March 18, 2025 7:10 p.m. (JST) Los Angeles Dodgers 4
Chicago Cubs 1 		42,365 WP: Yamamoto, Save: Scott
LP: Brown, HR: none 		[2][21]
6:10 a.m. (EDT)
March 19, 2025 7:10 p.m. (JST) Los Angeles Dodgers 6
Chicago Cubs 3 		42,367 WP: Knack, Save: Vesia
LP: Steele, HR: Edman, E. Hernández, Ohtani 		[3][22]
6:10 a.m. (EDT)

Notes

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  • This was the Dodgers' fourth overseas appearance and their first in Japan. The team previously played in 2014 in Sydney, Australia; in 2018 in Monterey, Mexico; and 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.[23]
  • This was the Cubs' third overseas appearance and second in Japan. The Cubs previously played in Tokyo in 2000 and in London in 2023.[24][23]
  • This was the first Tokyo series to feature five Japanese players: Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki for the Cubs.[23] Suzuki is from Arakawa, Tokyo, making Tokyo Dome his hometown stadium.[23]
  • Japanese musician Yoshiki performed the U.S. and Japanese national anthems at the Tokyo Series opening ceremony.[25][26] For the second opening ceremony, Japanese girl group Little Glee Monster performed the U.S. and Japanese national anthems.[27]

Sponsors and partners

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Official pop-up shop at Miyashita Park in the Shibuya section of Tokyo
 
Tobu Railway Ryōmō train with an MLB-themed livery and logo.

The presenting sponsor of the Tokyo Series was Guggenheim Partners.[28] Guggenheim Partners is led by CEO Mark Walter, who also leads Guggenheim Baseball Management, the entity that owns the Dodgers.[29][a] The Dodgers, featuring Shohei Ohtani, are a popular team in Japan.[30]

Japan Airlines was an official presenter of the series and a global partner of Major League Baseball. The airline has consistently supported Japanese players in MLB starting with Hideki Matsui in 2003 and now including Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida.[31] Japan Travel Bureau was also an official partner.[32]

Ito En, the Japanese drinks company that manufactures Ohtani's favorite drink (Oi Ocha, an unsweetened green tea), sponsored the series as part of its ongoing global partnership with Ohtani, the Dodgers, and MLB.[33][34] Asahi Beer has a global partnership with MLB and its "Super Dry" lager was the official beer of the series.[35]

The Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, organized the series.[7] MLB also had several collaborations, including with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, a Japanese manga series, to produce a short anime film about the series.[36] MLB collaborated with Takashi Murakami, a contemporary artist, to launch a limited-edition collection of merchandise released by Complex.[37][38]

The Pokémon Company also collaborated with MLB.[39] Prior to the first game, a video montage was played featuring "monsters" (notable historical players) of previous MLB games in Japan as well as Japanese players in MLB.[39] Pikachu characters were on the field during player introductions.[39]

Tobu Railway decorated a 200 series train, used for its Ryōmō limited express service, in MLB's colors (red, white, and blue) ahead of the series and for the remainder of the year.[40]

Reception

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The Tokyo Series broke several records and became the largest standalone international event in Major League Baseball's history.[41] The event averaged over 25 million viewers across platforms.[41] Fanatics reported that it generated over $40 million in merchandise and trading card sales, a company record for a special event.[42] Sales beat the prior record holder, the 2024 London Series, by 320%.[43]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ While Guggenheim Partners and Guggenheim Baseball Management are different entities, various sources refer to Guggenheim Partners, or simply "Guggenheim", as the owner of the Dodgers. See also List of Los Angeles Dodgers owners and executives.

References

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  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Neumann, Sam (March 17, 2025). "Fox reportedly isn't sending announcers to Japan for MLB's Tokyo Series". awfulannouncing.com. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "MLB Gameday: Dodgers at Cubs". MLB.com. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "MLB Gameday: Dodgers at Cubs". MLB.com. March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  4. ^ "FOX Sports Celebrates 30 Years of MLB Coverage with Action-Packed 2025 Regular Season Broadcast Schedule - Fox Sports Press Pass". Fox Sports Press Pass. 2025-02-25. Archived from the original on 2025-02-25. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "MLB releases 2025 schedule: Opening Day on March 27 after Tokyo Series, rivalry weekend and more key dates". CBSSports.com. 2024-07-18. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  6. ^ "MLB Tokyo Series 2025: Dodgers vs Cubs, Tickets, Tokyo Dome | MLB International". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Yomiuri Giants, Hanshin Tigers to Face Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers; MLB Opener Games Cubs-Dodgers to be held on March 18, 19". The Yomiuri Shimbun. November 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Spectrum SportsNet LA Announces Dodgers 2025 Spring Training and Regular Season Live Game and Programming Schedule | Charter Communications". corporate.charter.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  9. ^ Report, Staff (2025-02-05). "Marquee Sports Network announces 2025 Chicago Cubs spring training and exhibition broadcast schedule | Chicago Cubs News". Marquee Sports Network - Home of the Cubs, Bears, Red Stars and Sky. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Donaldson, Alex (2025-02-20). "Prime Video Japan scores MLB, Tokyo Series, Samurai Japan rights". Sportcal. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  11. ^ "Cubs 0, Tigers 3". MLB.com. March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Coskrey, Jason (March 15, 2025). "Tigers shut out the Cubs as Seiya Suzuki receives warm welcome in Tokyo". The Japan Times. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  13. ^ "Dodgers 5, Giants 1". MLB.com. March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  14. ^ Coskrey, Jason (March 15, 2025). "Ohtani puts on a show as Dodgers power past Giants in Tokyo". The Japan Times. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  15. ^ "Dodgers 0, Tigers 3". MLB.com. March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  16. ^ Coskrey, Jason (March 16, 2025). "Tigers shut down Ohtani to take exhibition game over Dodgers". The Japan Times. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  17. ^ "Cubs 4, Giants 2". MLB.com. March 16, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  18. ^ Coskrey, Jason (March 16, 2025). "Cubs beat Giants in final tuneup before season opener against Dodgers". The Japan Times. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  19. ^ "MLB Tokyo Series 2025: Dodgers vs Cubs, Tickets, Tokyo Dome | MLB International". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  20. ^ "2025年MLB日本開幕戦 「シカゴ・カブス×ロサンゼルス・ドジャース」を日本テレビ系【地上波】全国ネットで完全生中継！". Nippon TV (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  21. ^ "Dodgers at Cubs". ESPN.com. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  22. ^ "Dodgers at Cubs". ESPN.com. March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Jain, Krutik (2024-07-21). "4 facts about 2025 MLB Tokyo Series that might surprise you". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  24. ^ "Box score of the day: Piazza, Sosa slug in Japan". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  25. ^ "Yoshiki performs national anthems | 03/18/2025". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  26. ^ "Tokyo Dome goes all out for epic pregame celebration, starring Pikachu!". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  27. ^ "Taiko drumming hypes up Tokyo crowd with thunderous intro". MLB.com.
  28. ^ Sharma, Sahadev; Ardaya, Fabian (March 17, 2025). "Why are Cubs and Dodgers playing in Japan in the middle of March?". The Athletic. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  29. ^ Mandal, Debajit (December 11, 2023). "Who owns the Los Angeles Dodgers? Ownership structure of Shohei Ohtani's next team explored". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  30. ^ Moreno, Matthew (2024-07-20). "Tokyo Series details: Dodgers ownership presenting sponsor". Dodger Blue. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  31. ^ "Japan Airlines Becomes Official Sponsor of Major League Baseball Tokyo Series 2025, Creating Exclusive Opportunities - Travel And Tour World". 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  32. ^ "JTB Launches Hospitality Packages for MLB World Tour Tokyo Series". TRAICY Global. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  33. ^ "Win tickets for the "MLB TOKYO SERIES" in which Shohei Ohtani will play. "Oi Ocha" Big Giveaway Campaign Starts This Week". Japanese No.1 Green Tea Brand | ITO EN Global Website. ITOENPR. 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  34. ^ Islam, Arif (2025-01-23). "Ohtani at heart of MLB's new Oi Ocha green tea sponsorship". SportsPro. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  35. ^ "アサヒビール MLB東京シリーズを記念したキャンペーンを実施". アサヒビール. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  36. ^ Jain, Krutik (2025-03-06). "MLB joins forces with Demon Slayer for one-of-a-kind collab ahead of Shohei Ohtani & Dodgers' 2025 opener in Japan". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  37. ^ Gharib, Anthony (2025-02-27). "MLB collaborates with Takashi Murakami for limited-edition merch ahead of Tokyo series". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  38. ^ "Japanese artist Murakami lends artwork to exclusive MLB collaboration ahead of Tokyo Series". AP News. 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b c Clair, Michael (March 18, 2025). "Tokyo Dome goes all out for epic pregame celebration, starring Pikachu!". MLB.com.
  40. ^ Williams, Blake (March 14, 2025). "Dodgers' Japan Guide For Tokyo Series: MLB Fan Fest, TOKYO SKYTREE, Immersive Experience & More". DodgerBlue.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  41. ^ Jump up to: a b "MLB lauds success of Cubs-Dodgers Tokyo Series". ESPN.com. 2025-03-21. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  42. ^ Peck, Brooks (2025-03-21). "Fanatics says it had $40 million in MLB Tokyo Series sales, higher than all major sporting events". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  43. ^ "MLB's Record-Breaking Tokyo Series". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
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