Another improvement to Chase Field as the Arizona Diamondbacks prepare for a big season: an addition that will generate 75 kilowatts of solar power and also provide needed shade for fans as they enter and exit the ballpark. A product of a partnership between the D-backs, Maricopa County Stadium District and APS, the structure will […]
Archive | Major-League Baseball
Cleveland’s League Park once again target for restoration
The remaining pieces of League Park, once the home of the Cleveland Indians, would be restored in the next several years, as the Cleveland City Council approves spending $387,000 on architectural plans. The ballpark, originally designed by Osborn Engineering for the 1910 MLB season, is now down to a brick wall down the right-field line […]
Yawn. NYT writer predictably blasts Mets for naming-rights deal
Let’s face it: Clyde Haberman of the New York Times has always hated the idea of the New York Mets selling naming rights to their new ballpark. He’s now using the recent financial issues facing the team to once again bash Citi Field and the Wilpons. Flash back to 2006, when the Mets first announced […]
It’s truck day!
At MLB clubhouses across the nation, the same scenario will be played out in the next few days: large trucks bearing lots of equipment will heading to Florida or Arizona, to be broken out for spring training. Yes, friends, it’s Truck Day! At least for the Red Sox, who not only have made Truck Day […]
Cuban: I’ll listen if the Wilpons want to sell me a chunk of the Mets
With the finances of the New York Mets increasingly under siege, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says he’s interested in investing in the team — but he needs to be sold by the Wilpons on the move. That’s sure to impress MLB owners. From the New York Post: “If they want to sit down and […]
San Jose rushing to acquire land for Athletics ballpark
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency is working to sell other city land and buildings to finance a purchase of the remaining parcels for a new Oakland Athletics ballpark, but initial bids came in lower than expected. The bids for the six properties fetched a total of $19.59 million in offers, below the $26 million the […]
Wrigley Field damaged in heavy snowstorms
Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, was damaged yesterday by heavy snowstorms ripping through the heart of the country, as several tiles from the top of the press box were torn off; streets in the area are shut down for the cleanup. The tiles caused enough of a mess to force city officials to […]
Madoff, Mets finances more intertwined than assumed: report
To date the Wilpons have downplayed their financial ties to Bernie Madoff, characterizing their investments as somewhat limited. It’s now coming out that the relationship was more significant, with the team also investing deferred player payments with Madoff. The New York Times outlines the relationship between the Wilpons and Madoff: When the Mets negotiated their […]
Mets on tap to host All-Star Game in 2013
Multiple reports have the New York Mets hosting the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field — the first time since 1964 that the team has hosting the midseason festivities. Of course, in 1964 the game was held at Shea Stadium. That’s the longest drought for a team hosting the All-Star Game in MLB. No official […]
Bottom-shelf-booze magnate making play for Mets?
Martin J. Silver, whose Long Island-based Star Industries is a prime purveyor of fine spirits like Georgi Vodka and Carnabys Gin, says he’s willing to invest in the New York Mets with the Wilpons, forced to seek a minority investor because of potential financial problems. Silver, an investor in the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High Class […]
Twins relocating trees behind center field at Target Field
The Minnesota Twins will be relocating 14 pine trees currently planted past the center-field wall after players complained about them being a distraction at the plate. No word on how the pitchers feel about the move. In general, Twins batters weren’t that thrilled about playing at Target Field, despite the obvious team advantage of having […]
Wilpons explore selling minority chunk of Mets
Fred and Jeff Wilpon are looking at selling a minority share of the New York Mets due to financial complications due to their family firm’s investments with Bernie Madoff, as they face a potential clawback lawsuit from the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee. The following statement comes from Fred Wilpon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the […]
Rays go with new turf for ’11 season
The playing surface at Tropicana Field will be upgraded for the 2011 season, as the Tampa Bay Rays announce the impending installation of a American-made, 1.1-million-square-foot AstroTurf field. “The AstroTurf fiber and in-fill systems contain the very latest technology and will provide our players the best playing surface available,” said Rays President Matt Silverman. “Our […]