Major League Baseball is heading to London. Earlier today, Major League Baseball, the MLBPA, the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the city of London held a joint press conference announcing that there will be two series held—one in 2019, and one in 2020. Next season’s series will feature one of the best rivalries in sports, as the Yankees and Red Sox face off in a two-game series. 2020’s participants have yet to be determined.
As London mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter, “London is now the major hub for American sport outside the US”, as the NFL and NBA already have had success across the pond. While it’s great for London, it’s also great for the MLB to attract more international fans. And the MLB has 162 games, so having a couple away from home isn’t as big of a deal as an NFL team having to use one of their eight home games (12.5% of their time playing at home) in London.
The Yankees-Red Sox games will be played in London Stadium on June 29-30, 2019.
While the NFL is probably a lot closer to having a franchise in Britain, a London MLB franchise is fun to think about. If it ever happens, the team is going to need an appropriate name. These five might get the job done.
London Red Squirrels
Red Squirrels are dwindling in numbers, but they were previously native to Great Britain. This would be both a traditional, throwback nickname, and it would also bring awareness to an animal a lot of people might not know about. Squirrels are already common attendees at baseball games.
London Empire
Some might not like this name, but Britain had the largest empire in world history and “London Empire” sounds good. The quest for a London MLB team would to build an empire franchise that can takeover America’s pastime and win titles, so it fits.
London Werewolves
The London Werewolves might sound familiar to some, as they were previously a part of the Frontier Baseball League (London, Ontario; not London, England). Some legal hurdles might need to be cleared before it could become an MLB franchise in London, but it’s a good name.
London Towers
A team named after the Tower of London, the historic castle located in central London, would be fitting. There was also a basketball team in London from 1984-2009, and they were quite successful with three championships in the British Basketball League.
London Terriers
Terriers are among the most popular dog breeds in London, so much of the population will approve of the team name. Who doesn’t love dogs?
Werewolves
Pretty cool!