2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008, in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the Minnesota Twins in a one-game playoff to win the AL Central. The Civil Rights Game, an exhibition, in Memphis, Tennessee, took place March 29 when the New York Mets beat the Chicago White Sox, 3–2.
Rubén Amaro Jr.
Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis
President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch before a sold-out crowd at the Washington Nationals season opener on March 30 at their new park, Nationals Park
Ceremonial first pitch in Shea Stadium
MLB Japan Opening Series 2008
The Major League Baseball Opening Series Japan 2008, or MLB Japan Opening Series 2008, was played on March 25 and 26, 2008, in Tokyo, Japan. The 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics split a two-game series played at Tokyo Dome. These were the first games of the Major League Baseball (MLB) 2008 regular season.
The U.S. 7th Fleet Band and U.S. Army Japan Band perform at the Opening Day game.