With the departure of MLB and MiLB squads from spring-training complex, most folks assume there’s no baseball in the likes of Peoria Stadium and Tempe Diablo Stadium. But the complexes are still buzzing, as extended spring will keep them busy for months. During discussions of spring training, many fans focus on the main ballpark and […]
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Cubs notch lowest attendance since 2002
The Chicago Cubs have been a box-office machine in recent years, but yesterday Wrigley Field saw its smallest crowd in nine years, with only 26,292 showing up for a matinee against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a chilly, windy Monday. Harbinger or aberration? Of course, many teams would be happy with announcing 26,292 fans in the […]
Giants fan severely beaten in Dodger Stadium parking lot; suspects sought
Some ugliness arising from MLB‘s Opening Day: A San Francisco Giants fan was severely beaten by Los Angeles Dodgers fans in the Dodger Stadium parking lot; he’s in critical condition and police are searching for his attackers. The incident began after the Dodgers‘ 2-1 win over the Giants, with fans returning to their cars. A […]
Forbes: It’s the Yankees and the 29 dwarves
It’s not even close: in the magazine’s annual evaluations of Major League Baseball franchise values, Forbes prices the New York Yankees at an astounding $1.7 billion — some 86 percent more than runner-up Boston Red Sox and far outpacing the average franchise value of $523 million. Still, you’ll be surprised by the most profitable team […]
White Sox introduce new organist
Glad to see the Chicago White Sox keeping the tradition alive, as the team announced Lori Moreland will succeed Nancy Faust as the U.S. Cellular Field organist for the 2011 season — extending that human touch at the ballpark. “Over the past decade, the in-game experience has evolved with the use of digital scoreboards, video […]
Busch Stadium to host Midwest League game
Add Busch Stadium to the list of Major League Baseball ballparks hosting Minor League Baseball games this season, as the St. Louis Cardinals’ Midwest League affiliate — the Quad Cities River Bandits — will host the Kane County Cougars, the newest Kansas City Royals affiliate. The game is tentatively scheduled for May 26. We’re seeing […]
Thorn: It’s stories that matter, not stats
John Thorn, the new historian for Major League Baseball, seems to have changed his approach to baseball and baseball history: instead of stressing stats as a way to reference baseball, he’s now arguing for a focus on the great stories associated with the game. As regular readers of this site know, we much prefer discussions […]
Selig shoots down Fox loan to Dodgers
Seeking working capital, Frank McCourt negotiated a $200-million loan from Fox Sports, using the Los Angeles Dodgers’ broadcast deal as collateral — a risky deal that was ultimately shot down by Commissioner Bud Selig. More money woes from the MLB world. The deal was simple: Fox would lend the Dodgers $200 million. If the loan […]
Rangers announce further upgrades to Arlington home
We know the Texas Rangers are upgrading the scoreboards and videoboards at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the 2011 season, but yesterday Managing Partner and CEO Chuck Greenberg outlined additional changes to the ballpark. We’ve already reported on the biggest changes — the audio/video upgrades — here, but more changes are in store, for a […]
Nats, Astros eying new Osceola County spring-training complex
The Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros are discussing a new joint spring-training complex with Osceola County officials, as a site near DisneyWorld is under consideration. The complex, we’re told, would be south of DisneyWord and in the very northwestern corner of Osceola County, an area served by I-4 and Florida Toll 429. Both teams […]
A guide to spring-training practices
Die-hard spring-training fans aren’t content with just sitting in the stands and watching a game: they want to watch a practice and get close to the players. It’s a great experience, as long as you know what you’re in for: most teams train on practice fields, not the ballparks, and so the creature comforts are […]
First seats installed in new Marlins ballpark
Big day for David Samson and the Florida Marlins front office at their new ballpark, slated to open next season: the first seat was installed in Section 19, and the team took batting practice, albeit on a dirt surface with no fences. The new ballpark is slated to open in 2012; the team will spend […]
Citi Field debt downgraded by Moody’s because of Mets-Madoff connection
More bad news for Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz: debt of Citi Field has been downgraded by Moody’s because of concerns over ties between the New York Mets ownership and disgraced felon Bernie Madoff, as well as an impending clawback lawsuit. “While the ultimate outcome of the litigation and the timeframe for final resolution are […]