Harry Brook and Issy Wong to become MLB Europe ambassadors
MLB Europe has announced new partnerships with cricket sensations Harry Brook and Issy Wong. Brook and Wong will become MLB Europe ambassadors, both displaying the MLB logo on their bats moving forward and will connect deeper with baseball and the culture that surrounds the sport.
Big hitter Harry Brook has been setting records since landing his spot on the England cricket team last year. This announcement comes off the back of a staggeringly good performance in New Zealand which saw the 24-year-old break the world record for the most runs scored after 9 innings BY any player, from any country, in test history. So how will this cricketing sensation fare at baseball?! Harry’s love for all sport is well known; already passionate about golf he is excited about this new relationship with baseball:
“I’m really excited for this partnership and can’t wait to try my hand at hitting some home runs! I’m intrigued to see how different it is to cricket and what similarities there are too – will a home run feel as good as hitting a 6?! I’m also excited to learn from how other professional sportspeople go about their game and see if there are any transferable skills between batting in baseball and cricket. It’s going to be amazing to see baseball first hand in the US and help spread the word back in the UK and hopefully help build baseball’s fan base here. I’ll be cheering on the Cardinals of course!”
Joining Harry in the partnership is Issy Wong; Issy is currently making history herself in Mumbai preparing for the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). Issy has lived and breathed sport all her life and has been playing cricket at county level since she was just 9 years old. Famed for her fast bowling as well as her big hitting, 20-year-old Issy is excited to create a more integrated relationship with baseball:
“This is an awesome opportunity to learn about pitching in baseball. I’m fascinated with the crossovers between the two sports and seeing what I can learn that may benefit my game, particularly in the field. I’ve already been practising my knuckleball! I’m also a little bit obsessed with the weird superstitions in cricket so it’s cool to learn about some in baseball too – like the curse of the billy goat! It’s brilliant to be part of the movement to introduce baseball to a new audience outside the US. Seeing the difference The Hundred has made here engaging with young fans and being part of the first WPL shows the appetite the next generation has for sport. It will be great to get the London Stadium really buzzing this summer and for British fans to see baseball at the highest level. Go, Cubs, Go!”
Speaking about the partnership, Ben Ladkin – MLB Europe Managing Director said: “MLB’s goal in Europe is to introduce baseball to a new audience through content and event experiences. We are excited to work with Issy and Harry, who are superstars in cricket, and give them an opportunity to explore the world of baseball.”
The St. Louis Cardinals will play the Chicago Cubs in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2023 on June 24 – 25 at London Stadium. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/mlb
For all the latest from MLB Europe follow @MLBEurope.