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.
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.
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).
