ASTROS OWNER MCLANE SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT: NO MLB SUIT

     Astros Owner Drayton McLane said he is examining every
possible way to keep the team in Houston and flatly denied a
Houston Chronicle report he was intending to sue MLB and place
the franchise in bankruptcy.  McLane:  "Never, in my 34 years of
business, have I ever personally initiated a lawsuit.  That is
not the way to handle disputes."  He has a press conference
scheduled for 11:00am CST today to announce his plans for the '96
season (Astros).
     WHAT'LL HE SAY:  In Houston, John William writes it is still
"unclear" whether or not McLane will try to move the team to
Northern VA (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/10).  In DC, Maske & Lipton
writes McLane will announce he is going to remain in Houston for
'96, staying on a "one-year trial basis" because he doesn't think
he has the votes to approve the move (WASHINGTON POST, 11/10).
That is echoed by broadcast reports in Houston this morning
(SportsTicker).