Padres unveil new uniforms, logos
The San Diego Padres unveiled new logos and uniforms yesterday, slightly altering the historic SD cap logo while updating the Swinging Friar and introducing a new alternative logo. “We spent a lot of time listening to our fans about the uniforms over the past two years,” said Padres President/Chief Operating Officer Tom Garfinkel. “What we […]
Peter O’Malley back in baseball — in Vero Beach
Peter O’Malley, who last week announced his intention to bid on the Los Angeles Dodgers, is back in baseball — in Vero Beach, as an investor in Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. Peter is the 73-year-old son of Dodgers scion Walter O’Malley, who moved the team from Brooklyn to California and […]
2011 Renovation of the Year: Cheney Stadium
We’re back with our second round of Ballpark Digest awards for 2011. Today, we have another renovation award: Best Renovation ($20M+) for Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). To say that the renovation notable is an understatement. Making changes to something considered an institution in the local community is […]
Mariners install electric-car charging stations at Safeco Field
Well, this isn’t something you see every day: the Seattle Mariners are installing four electric vehicle charging stations available for public use at Safeco Field. The four Blink Pedestal Charging Stations are located on the plaza next to the Safeco Field parking garage. The stations are part of The EV Project, which will install approximately […]
Duquette takes reins in Baltimore
Dan Duquette, an executive with a winning track record as GM of the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, is back, this time as the new executive vice president of the Baltimore Orioles. “I am pleased to welcome Dan Duquette to the Orioles organization,” said Orioles Majority Owner Peter Angelos. “With an emphasis on developing […]
Five bidders emerge for Alliance Bank Stadium management gig
Five management firms/ballpark operators have responded to a request from Onondaga County for bids from venue managers to operate Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League). The county sent letters in September to venue managers soliciting proposals to “manage, operate and market any or all of” the ballpark, the Onondaga […]
Changes in the broadcast booth: Provus to Twins, Lezotte leaves Clinton
Two notable moves in broadcast booths to share today: Cory Provus is the new voice of the Minnesota Twins, while Dave Lezotte steps aside as the voice of the Clinton LumberKings (Low Class A; Midwest League). Provus, 33, comes off a three-year stint as the second voice in the Milwaukee Brewers broadcast booth, sharing play-by-play […]
Tennessee, Lake Elsinore snare MiLB organizational honors
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) snared the 2011 John H. Johnson President’s Award, while the Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League) won this year’s Larry MacPhail Award, as MiLB unveiled yearly honors. The Smokies and Storm will receive their major awards at the Baseball Winter Meetings Annual Banquet on Thursday, December […]
Twins front-office changes: Smith out, Ryan in
In a surprising move, Terry Ryan has returned to the Minnesota Twins as general manager — perhaps on a permanent basis — as Bill Smith has been asked to take another position in the organization. “No one in the Twins’ organization wants to win any more than Bill,” Twins Owner and CEO Jim Pohlad said […]
Boston to seek more money for Yawkey Way, Landsdowne access
The Boston Redevelopment Authority sees the Boston Red Sox making millions off team activity on Yawkey Way and Landsdowne Street — so higher rent is on the agenda. The Red Sox do have a pretty sweet deal for extended Yawkey Way game-day access and air rights to Landsdowne Street for the Green Monster seating under […]
Moorad to Escondido: We need quick deal on ballpark
Because he may conditionally sell the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), owner Jeff Moorad is demanding a commitment from Escondido to build a $50M ballpark — with no funding assured. As you’ll recall, the city backed away from the idea of public financing of a new ballpark for Moorad, also the owner of […]
Polo Grounds’ Brush stairway area to be renovated
Thanks to donations from several area pro baseball and football teams, the old Brush stairway at the Polo Grounds site is being spruced up and connected to a local park. The Brush stairway, donated in 1913 in the name of former New York Giants owner John T. Brush, is the last major remnant of the […]
Royals on verge of selling Kauffman Stadium naming rights?
The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of selling naming rights to Kauffman Stadium, according to a local TV station, with an announcement coming as soon as today. UPDATED! When an agreement was reached in 2006 with local municipalities to renovate Kauffman Stadium and next-door Arrowhead Stadium, the Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs […]