Yankees, Marlins to play exhibition games in Panama on March 15-16 in honor of Mariano Rivera
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Yankees will play exhibition games against the Miami Marlins in Panama City on March 15-16 to honor retired New York reliever Mariano Rivera, the first visit of Major League Baseball to the Central American nation since 1947.
Under the long-discussed deal announced Thursday, the careers saves leader will promote the event, and a gala dinner will be held March 14 to benefit the Mariano Rivera Foundation. Proceeds from the dinner will go to Children's Hospital in Panama City.
Some Yankees trained in Panama in 1946 and faced an all-star team from that nation's professional league. The Yankees played the Brooklyn Dodgers there in several games during 1947 as part of a trip that also saw the teams go to Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Magic Dreams Productions and Patricia Lynch also will promote the games at Rod Carew Stadium.