Baseball fans won't have to wait long to see Shohei Ohtani make his regular season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning American League MVP is expected to DH and hit second for LA when his new team takes on the San Diego Padres on March 20 in Seoul. The South Korean capital will host a two game tilt between the Southern California teams as Major League Baseball officially begins it's 2024 season on the road.
And while Ohtani is indisputably the biggest star in baseball, he may not be the biggest attraction for local fans. That honor belongs to Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who was born in nearby Bucheon, South Korea. The Gold Glove-winner spent seven seasons with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO and is expected to be a get a hero's welcome of his own when he takes the field.
Are you ready for the return of America's national pastime? Here are 14 more can’t-miss dates that every MLB fan should circle on their calendar.
March 28: Opening Day
March 28 is set to be a true blast from the past as every Major League team will play on Opening Day for just the second time since 1968. Fans can look forward to six divisional match-ups and one Interleague game as Major League Baseball gets the party started in grand fashion.
April 15: Jackie Robinson Day
Every player around the league will wear No. 42 on April 15 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The trail-blazing second sacker continues to be an inspiration for the grace, fortitude, and courage he displayed while smashing through baseball's color barrier.
April 27-28: Mexico City Series
The Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies will head south of the border for a two-game series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu in Mexico City. It's Major League Baseball's second regular season trip to "The City of Palaces," and a homecoming of sorts for Astros hurler Jose Urquidy, who was born in Mazatlan.
Best MLB bonuses
New Users
Wager $5 on any market
Get $200 if it wins! Claim Now
New Users
Bet $5 on any wager
Get $158 in bonus bets! Claim Now
Eligible USA locations only. Also, see our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2024.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
June 2: Lou Gehrig Day
Lou Gehrig may be gone, but he's certainly not forgotten. Major League Baseball will celebrate the exceptional life and career of the game's original iron man on June 2 by having players sport a "4-ALS" patch on their jerseys. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS as it is more commonly known, is a neurodegenerative disease that continues to afflict more than 5,000 people every year in the United States.
June 8-9: London Series
Major League Baseball's world tour continues in late June when the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies hop across the pond for a two-game series in Jolly Old England. Local fans can look forward to foot-long hot dogs, fully-loaded nachos, and presumably a massive case of heartburn.
June 20: Rickwood Field Tribute to the Negro Leagues
Major League Baseball will pay tribute to the Negro Leagues on June 20 when the St. Louis Cardinals face the San Francisco Giants at legendary Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Opened in 1910, this historic ballpark was home to the Birmingham Black Barons from 1924-1960 and has been designated as a National Historic Site. Although largely unknown to younger MLB fans, sharp-eyed movie buffs may recognize Rickwood Field from films such as 42 and Cobb.
July 4: Independence Day
There are few things more American than eating peanuts and Cracker Jack while watching a baseball game on Independence Day. Fans around the nation will have a chance to indulge in that simple pleasure as all 30 MLB clubs hit the diamond. There's bound to be plenty of fireworks in the nation's capital, in particular, as the Washington Nationals host the New York Mets.
July 15-18: All-Star Break
Who said there's no rest for the wicked? The league's second and third-tier players will get to enjoy a much-needed four-day break in the middle of baseball's grueling 162-game season.
July 16: MLB All-Star Game
Major League Baseball's best and brightest will take the field at Globe Life Field for the league's 94th annual All-Star Game. The last time the Midsummer Classic was played in Arlington was 1995, when the American League roster featured hometown heroes Ivan Rodriguez and Kenny Rogers.
July 30-August 2: MLB Trade Deadline
Christmas will come early for many MLB teams as they acquire talented new players for the stretch drive. Expect White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames, and Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber to be among the top trade candidates available at the deadline.
August 18: Little League Classic
The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees will bring a taste of big league ball to Williamsport, Pennsylvania on August 18 when they participate in the seventh annual Little League Classic. Players from the two clubs will begin their day by attending the Little League World Series before going head-to-head that evening at historic Bowman Field. It's one of baseball's best feel-good events as big leaguers get to mingle with big dreamers.
September 15: Roberto Clemente Day
Roberto Clemente will get his due on September 15 when every Major League player sports a No. 21 patch on their jerseys in honor of the late Hall of Famer and humanitarian. Clemente's old club will be in action that day, as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park.
September 29: Final game of the regular season
All 30 teams will be in action as Major League Baseball winds down another season. With any luck fans will be treated to another down-to-the-wire finish with two teams or more competing for favorable playoff seeding or a final postseason spot.
November 7: World Series Game 7 (if needed)
Is there a better phrase in sports than "Game 7"? Spoiler alert: There is not. Baseball's top two teams will have one more shot to cement their legacy on November 7.
