For the first time in 17 years, an MLB team is in Cuba to play an exhibition game, with the Tampa Bay Rays in Havana to battle the Cuban National Team at Estadio Latinoamericano on Tuesday afternoon.
How to watch the Rays battle the Cuban National Baseball Team in Havana
The game will be televised by ESPN and ESPN Deportes
Brian Blanco/Getty Images
ESPN and ESPN Deportes will televise the unique game. Pregame activities will begin at 1:30 p.m ET, with the game itself scheduled for 2 p.m.
The game is a culmination of increased relations between the United States and Cuba through baseball, which included a four-day goodwill trip to Cuba in December by several major league players, including Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Cabrera and Yasiel Puig.
“During a time of historic change, we appreciate the constructive role afforded by our shared passion for the game, and we look forward to experiencing Cuba’s storied baseball tradition and the passion of its many loyal fans,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement earlier in March when plans for the exhibition game were finalized.
This is the first trip to Cuba by an MLB team since the Baltimore Orioles on March 28, 1999.
In addition to Manfred, MLB will be represented by chief baseball officer Joe Torre as will as guest former players Derek Jeter, Jose Cardenal and Luis Tiant. Also in attendance will be President of the United States Barack Obama, much to the delight of Rays third baseman Evan Longoria.
Hey @POTUS, you mind bringing a few extra Presidential pens? I've always wondered if they were a real thing.
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) March 13, 2016
A pair of ceremonial first pitches will be thrown before the game, MLB announced on Sunday. Legendary Cuban right-hander Pedro Lazo, who was a longtime Cuban National Team star and a winner of two gold medals and two silver medals in Olympic play, will throw one ceremonial first pitch. The other will be thrown by the Cuban-born Tiant, a three-time All-Star in his 19-year major league career.
For the ESPN broadcast, Karl Ravech is on play-by-play alongside analysts Eduardo Perez and Doug Glanville, with reports from Tim Kurkjian and Pedro Gomez. On ESPN Deportes, Ernesto Jerez and Candy Maldonado are in the booth, with reports from Guillermo Celis during the game.
The game will also be available to stream online at Watch ESPN (all times ET).
Rays vs. Cuba info
When: 1:30 p.m. (pregame activities), 2 p.m. (game start)
Where: Estadio LatinoAmericano, Havana, Cuba
Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cuban National Team
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Online: Watch ESPN
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