By John Cairns

TSIM SHA TSUI, Hong Kong – Most Hong Kong people never once stand at home plate and swing a baseball bat. But that didn’t deter executives from professional baseball’s best team, the New York Yankees, from arriving to please fans.

Earlier this month, team president Randy Levine led a management delegation carrying the World Series Championship Trophy, won by the Yankees last year, on an Asian Tour to Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, scores of people filled a hotel function room to see and photograph the glittering sports prize.

“It’s the first time the World Series Trophy has traveled to Asia,” Levine told the Hong Kong audience. “I hope everyone steps up to take pictures with it.

“On behalf of (team owner) George Steinbrenner, the Steinbrenner family, the entire Yankees organization and my colleagues here today, I’d like to say we’re delighted to be here.

“In the New York Yankees organization, we have fans all over the world. I see Yankees hats and T-shirts here today. Last night, I walked through the city and saw people wearing Yankees hats and jackets.

“We couldn’t have achieved our World Series championship without all the fans, wherever they are, whether it’s New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Latin America or elsewhere. This trophy represents good work by all Yankees fans.”

The team delegation also included general manager Brian Cashman, media-relations manager Michael Margolis and executives Michael Tusiani (corporate sales/sponsorship), Jean Afterman (assistant general manager) and Todd Letcher (stadium event security). At each stop, the group met with local baseball players, promoted the game and displayed the World Series Trophy.

“All over the world, children dream of playing baseball in Yankee Stadium,” Levine said. “We want children in China to wake up with that same dream. One day, with a crowd and the whole world watching, a Chinese player will step to the plate in Yankee Stadium and win a big game, just like Hideki Matsui, a Japanese player, became the most-valuable player in the World Series last year.”

Why didn’t a few major-league baseball players join the Asia tour? “They’re all busy preparing for spring training,” Levine said.

Hardly global despite its name, the World Series decides the winner of North America’s major-league baseball season. The Yankees, founded in 1903, have had many superstar players, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle.

The Yankees have played in the World Series 40 times, winning a record 27 crowns. The next most-successful team, the St. Louis Cardinals, has 10 titles.

Are there any limits to how many times the Yankees can win? “No, I don’t think so,” Levine said.

Baseball’s popularity in Asia usually revolves around Japan and Taiwan. But the flurry of excitement when Hong Kong people welcomed the prestigious World Series Trophy proves that other folks appreciate New York Yankees-style sporting success too.



Actually, Hong Kong has a baseball league too.



Yes, Asians know about the New York Yankees.



Any Yankees delegation has many
fingers sporting World Series rings.



Even a guy 'who wanders in off the street'
enjoys appearing with baseball's big prize.



Randy Levine signs a souvenir baseball.



People in Hong Kong appreciate
Yankees-style sporting success.