Plans to make London the ‘sporting capital of the world’ have taken a significant step forward after current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, held successful talks with Major League Baseball chiefs.

Mr Khan met with Rob Manfred in New York, as part of his five-day tour of the US, to discuss plans to stage a baseball match at the Olympic Park in 2018. The MLB pulled the plug on negotiations over a proposed match in 2017 in July as ‘time ran out’, but Sadiq is said to be ‘quietly confident’ of striking a deal.

“I’m keen to make London the sporting capital of the world. I’ve been really encouraged by my discussions with the MLB. I’ve told them there are huge baseball fans in London, all around the UK and in Europe,” said Mr Khan, as quoted in today’s Evening Standard.

The Mayor was invited to throw the first pitch in New York Mets’ home match against Minnesota Twins – a privilege ‘reserved for presidents and VIPs’.

It might not have been a 90mph fastball, but Sadiq can rest easy in the fact that he won’t be joining the likes of 50 Cent on the blooper reels for their disastrous opening pitch attempts through the years.

“The only way they can experience what we’ve experienced is by jumping on a plane to the USA,” Mr Kahn said. “Wouldn’t it be great if they came to the greatest city in the world instead?”

The MLB will hope to replicate the success of the NFL, which has been hosting regular American football fixtures in the UK since 2007. This season’s International Series Games include New York Giants vs Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins vs Cincinnati Bengals.