Are you watching, Richard Scudamore? With envious eyes if so. The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics began the 2008 Major League Baseball season in Tokyo this morning with the first of a double-header of regular season games. No fear here of expanding the brand with proper fixtures on foreign soil.

While the Barclays Premier League chief executive’s plan for “Game 39” was roundly abused and rapidly defeated, MLB, in common with other American sports, has embraced the concept of showpiece international games – and the fans have accepted it. Of course, losing two home fixtures is less traumatic when you play 162 regular-season matches per year, though the demands on the teams remain considerable.

The Red Sox will depart Tokyo for Los Angeles, play a couple of friendly games, then reconvene with the Athletics in their home ballpark next week when the season starts for everyone.

It is not just their status as reigning World Series champions that made Boston ideal candidates for the publicity-seeking jaunt to Japan. The Red Sox – favourites to retain their crown - boast two Japanese pitchers, Daisuke Matzusaka – his nickname is the more manageable “Dice-K” – and Hideki Okajima.

There is more globetrotting already slated for 2009. It was announced yesterday that Tokyo, Toronto, Mexico City and San Juan will host the opening rounds of the second World Baseball Classic, the sport’s attempt at a World Cup.

This trip to Japan and the harmless hype it generates is a welcome distraction from events back home for a sport wounded, as often, by drug scandals.

Politicians and investigators have stepped up to the plate and the publication of the Mitchell Report into drugs in baseball last winter ensured an off-season filled with ugly revelations that harmed the credibility of several famous players, as well as the sport itself.

Last season, Barry Bonds became the most-prolific home run hitter in history. Now he is unemployed. It could be because the former San Francisco Giants outfielder is 43. It could be because he is an infamously awkward team-mate. Or it could be because no franchise will match the $19-million salary he collected last year. But mainly it is because of drugs allegations and with federal prosecutors continuing to investigate baseball and Bonds, the story is not about to die down.

At least there are plenty of intriguing plotlines on the field as well as in the courthouse. Joe Torre, the long-time New York Yankees manager, left the club last year after the latest in a string of post-season failures and has taken the reins at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees, now managed by Joe Girardi, a former player, have a capable but flawed team reliant on unproven young pitchers. Across the city, the New York Mets, who collapsed last August and failed to reach the play-offs, bolstered their side by capturing the best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana, in a trade with the Minnesota Twins.

Competition in the National League is stiff, with the Colorado Rockies hoping for a repeat of their unexpected trip to the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies boasting a potent line-up and optimism high among the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.

In the American League, the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox will aim to knock Boston off their perch, but the most likely challengers are the Detroit Tigers, who spent heavily in the winter to boost an already-strong squad.

It should be an engrossing year - as long as a season that began with schedule abuse does not become overshadowed by substance abuse.

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