The Astros "could, conceivably, get a new name" when
they move into their new ballpark in 2000, according to John
Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Astros Senior VP Bob
McClaren: "We have just discussed it, but there is nothing
active going on." Possible new names include the Diesels,
the Wildcatters or the Buffs. In other news, the team has
hired MD-based David Ashton & Assoc. to design graphics and
signs for its new ballpark being built next to Union Station
to "identify the new ballpark with the aging train station."
Ashton worked on Camden Yards (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/30).
MARINERS: The Mariners will pay King County "about"
$50,000 a game in rent for the postseason. But Kingdome
exec Susan Clawson estimates that each playoff games cost
"somewhere between" $80,000-120,000 per game. In '95, the
team's postseason success cost King County $400,000, and
even with an amended lease deal, if the team were to play a
full slate of nine home games, the costs to King County
"could be as great" as in '95 (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/29).
ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK? Yankees sources say that Owner
George Steinbrenner "came away from pre-playoff chats with
[NY Gov.] George Pataki confident that the governor -- while
publicly advocating no move -- won't stand in the way of a
Bronx evacuation" (NEW YORK magazine, 10/6 issue).
TICKET UPDATE: Around 2,000 tickets remain for Game One
of the NLCS Division Series against the Giants, and about
4,000 remain for Wednesday's Game Two at Pro Player Stadium.
The Yankees have sold out their two Division Series games,
while the Mariners have sold out Wednesday's Game One and
are "close" to selling out Thursday's Game Two. The Braves'
Dir of Ticket Sales Paul Adams said the team is "close to
capacity," for today's ballgame, but can still accommodate
standing-room-only ticket customers (THE DAILY).
