Fansided

President Obama to attend MLB game during Cuba visit

By Jason Parker

Jul 31, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; United States president Barack Obama (center) waves at the crowd during the Connecticut Huskies visit to the White House. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; United States president Barack Obama (center) waves at the crowd during the Connecticut Huskies visit to the White House. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Commander-In-Chief is currently schedule to attend a game featuring the Tampa Bay Rays when he visits the island later this month.

In several weeks, President Barack Obama will make history when he becomes the first sitting U.S. President to visit the island nation of Cuba in nine decades. The visit is part of his continued effort to restore relations with the country just 90 miles south of Florida. However, President Obama won’t just be about work during the trip, as he is scheduled to attend just the second game on the island featuring a Major League Baseball team since former leader Fidel Castro took control in 1959.

The Tampa Bay Rays were selected by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred out of a group of 13 teams to head to the country and take on the Cuban national team in an exhibition game on March 22nd. Everyone involved, from the White House to the MLB, is thrilled that this event will take place:

"“Americans and Cubans share a love of baseball, and this is yet another powerful reminder of the kinship between our peoples as well as the progress we can achieve when we leverage those natural ties,” a White House official said Tuesday.“Major League Baseball is excited to play in Cuba and to have the Tampa Bay Rays representing our 30 Clubs,” Manfred said. “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.”“We’re excited to be part of this trip. For us, it’s about spreading goodwill through baseball,” Matt Silverman, the Rays’ president of baseball operations, said on a conference call. “We’re excited for the opportunity and to experience firsthand the baseball culture of Cuba.”"

The Rays now must plan who will be making the 267-mile flight from their spring training home in Port Charlotte, Florida to Havana. The MLB is working with the State Department to complete the list of players, team staff and special guest who will receive clearance to attend.

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