With MLB entering its final ten days, the league heads into
the weekend with some key series to watch for fan interest as
division and wildcard races come to a close. In Atlanta, 37,193
watched last night as the Expos beat the Braves in the opener of
a four-game set. The Braves have been averaging 35,246 through
September 15. In San Diego, 41,287 attended the first game of a
big weekend series between the Dodgers-Padres. The Padres have
been averaging 25,792 as of Sunday. In New York, 54,888 watched
the Orioles-Yankees doubleheader yesterday and the Yankees will
host a four-game set against the Red Sox starting tonight. As of
Sunday, the Yankees were averaging 27,751. The Mariners drew
39,769 to their finale of a three-game set against the first-
place Rangers. They were averaging 32,398. The Mariners host the
A's this weekend (THE DAILY).
IN LABOR: Management negotiator Randy Levine met with MLBPA
Exec Dir Don Fehr in New York yesterday before both headed out of
town for the weekend. Acting Commissioner Bud Selig: "Randy will
be in Milwaukee over the weekend and we'll spend a lot of time
together. Then we'll move ahead" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/20)....In
Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt looks at the interest in MLB under the
header "Recovery from '94,'95 is slow." Twins Dir of Sales Phil
Heubner: "We're trying to reintroduce people to baseball. We
have a saying here that there isn't a blue seat out there that's
bought a hot dog or a Coke" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/20).
