MLB's Executive Council has directed the Twins to
"explore all options open to them regarding the sale and/or
movement of the franchise." In a statement, Acting
Commissioner Bud Selig, said, "A new stadium is essential if
the Minnesota Twins are going to thrive as a viable
franchise in their current location. Since plans for a new
stadium appear to be at a standstill, the Executive Council
has directed the Twins to explore their options" (MLB).
MINNESOTA REAX: In Minneapolis, Jay Weiner writes that
MLB's announcement is "one more piece of ammunition" in team
Owner Carl Pohlad's "campaign to persuade the Legislature to
approve public financing of a ballpark." Pohlad: "The
action speaks for itself" (STAR TRIBUNE, 6/13). Weiner &
Whereatt report that while owners "urged" Pohlad to "shop
his team around the country, [MN] Gov. Arne Carlson tried to
create competition between Minneapolis and St. Paul."
Carlson, who said he considers St. Paul an "equally
favorable site" to Minneapolis: "It's a little hard to say
yes to baseball in Minneapolis when the legislative
delegation says no" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/13).
SO, WHERE TO? In DC, Mark Maske writes that MLB
"officials say privately that in the unlikely event that the
Twins are permitted to relocate, they probably would end up
in Charlotte or Mexico City." The Northern VA partnership
headed by telecom exec William Collins had pursued the
Astros last year, but "seem wary of being used by another
franchise as leverage to get another ballpark built in
another city." Maske adds that the Orioles "could veto an
attempt by an American League team ... to move to the
Washington area but could not by themselves prevent" an NL
team from relocating to the region (WASHINGTON POST, 6/13).
WHO'S NEXT? After the owners meetings in Philadelpha,
Selig also supported the Phillies bid for a new ballpark.
Selig: "There's no doubt in my mind ... they need a new
stadium. I would say their situation is not dissimilar to
that of Minnesota and Milwaukee" (PHIL. INQUIRER, 6/13).
