Mac Attacks Plan to Open 2000 in Japan

The New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals are the leading candidates for a possible season-opening series in Tokyo next year.

Officials of the commissioner’s office and the players’ association were in Tokyo last week to discuss the unprecedented trip. They are expected to attempt to finalize details within a month.

“I’m absolutely against it,” said the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire, who would be the game’s top attraction. “Major league baseball belongs in the United States. The Japanese have Japanese baseball, so there’s no reason for us to go over there. I have nothing against the way they play baseball. It’s not the travel. As a player, I just don’t like it. The game belongs here.”

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