Major League Baseball announced on Thursday morning that a two-game Grapefruit League series between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins will mark the return of MLB to Panama for the first time since 1947.
The ''Legend Series,'' to be played March 15-16 at Panama City's Rod Carew Stadium, will honor the legacy of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
Riviera finished with the most career saves (652) in major league history. The 13-time All-Star retired at the end of the 2013 season.
It will be a rematch of the 2003 World Series when the Marlins won their second title in six games.
This marks another international event for the Marlins organization.
In 2010, the Marlins and New York Mets held a regular-season series at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The team also traveled to Puerto Rico in 2003 and 2004 for regular-season games against the Montreal Expos, who played a portion of their home schedule on the island. The Marlins played a pair of Spring Training games against the Houston Astros in Mexico City in 2004.
''The Marlins are extremely pleased to be playing in Panama and we look forward to introducing our team to our neighbors in Central America,'' Marlins President David Samson said in a statement. ''Teaming up with a baseball legend in his home country will be a great experience for our players and fans alike. The Marlins are excited to support MLB's and the MLBPA's continuous efforts to promote our great game internationally.''
The Yankees' spring training facility is in Tampa and the Marlins train in Jupiter.
