At some point this was bound to happen: Today Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg told the Hillsborough County Commission that “Major League Baseball at this point no longer believes in the Tampa Bay area.” Sternberg was invited to speak to the county commission on the subject of the team’s future — a future partly […]
Archive | Major-League Baseball
Chicago mayor: We can work with Cubs on Wrigley Field renovations
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who cut off communications with the Ricketts family as part of a political spat, says the city can work with the Chicago Cubs on a Wrigley Field renovation plan as presented. Over the last two weeks the Cubs have made various announcements on their proposed plan for Wrigley Field renovations, including […]
It’s official: Cincinnati awarded 2015 MLB All-Star Game
The Cincinnati Reds and Great American Ball Park will host the 2015 All-Star Game, with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig making the announcement at a Queen City press conference today. “I am very pleased to award the 2015 All-Star Game to the Reds and the great fans of Cincinnati,” Selig said. “The Midsummer Classic will be […]
Cubs unveil more details on Wrigley Field renos
As we reported two weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs are in the midst of planning an extensive overhaul to Wrigley Field and the surrounding area, releasing conceptual drawings at this weekend’s fan festival. The Ricketts ownership is proposing a $300-million renovation of the historic ballpark, which opened in 1914, as part of a larger plan […]
Cincinnati to host 2015 All-Star Game: report
The Cincinnati Reds and Great American Ball Park will host the 2015 All-Star Game, according to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is slated to hold a press conference on Wednesday, ostensibly to discuss baseball’s ongoing efforts to build and renovate playing fields in inner cities. He will then announce the […]
Early setback in attempt to keep Nationals in Brevard County
It appears the attempt to keep the Washington Nationals in Brevard County will be a more difficult chore than some foresaw, as a county tourism committee voters to stop spending hotel-tax revenues on spring training. Instead, if the committee’s vote is upheld by the full County Commission, $750,000 annually will instead be spent on general […]
Padres pitching for future All-Star Game
The new San Diego Padres owners are making their mark on the franchise in multiple ways, with the most recent move being a pitch to host a future All-Star Game at Petco Park. The Padres have twice hosted All-Star Games, both times at Jack Murphy Stadium/Qualcomm Stadium. Petco Park has never hosted a match, as […]
Cubs exploring hotel, courtyard as part of Wrigley Field upgrades
The Chicago Cubs are making another run at public support for Wrigley Field upgrades, and as part of the deal are talking a new hotel next to the historic ballpark as well as other area improvements. The team’s manager of community outreach, grants and donations, Jennifer Dedes Nowak, made a presentation to a neighborhood association that […]
Dodgers begin $100M upgrade of Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers have begun a $100-million makeover of Dodger Stadium, with the first phase already underway and focused on improving the fan experience with new concessions, wider concourses and expanded restrooms. The changes to the privately owned facility will be in place for the 2013 season. Dodgers officials say this is just the […]
Hall of Fame inductees due today
Social media will explode later today when the next class for induction in the National Baseball Hall of Fame is announced, as voters decide whether players in the Steroid Era should be rewarded for their exploits. On the ballot for the first time are some of baseball’s biggest stars of the Steroid Era, including Barry […]
Naming rights hard sell in St. Lucie for Mets
A month before spring training starts and the name of the spring home of the New York Mets is up in the air, as the team and St. Lucie County are having a hard time selling naming rights to what’s now known as Mets Stadium. The ballpark has been known by several different names over […]
Cleveland Indians exit broadcast world, sell SportsTime Ohio to Fox Sports
Another team exits the cable-television world, as the Cleveland Indians have sold SportsTime Ohio to Fox Sports and entered into a 10-year broadcasting agreement with Fox Sports Ohio. Aside from some individual owners, Fox Sports has become the most powerful player in the business of baseball, and the addition of the Cleveland Indians to the […]
Debt paid down early on Target Field — saving $53.7M
Here’s why you build ballparks when construction and interest costs are low: the debt on Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, has been reduced by $53.7 million after the Minnesota Ballpark Authority took advantage of favorable market conditions. The savings were mostly realized by prepaying variable-rate debt on the ballpark, but having a steady […]