One MLB owner "has suggested" that the league purchase
the Twins for the same price, $140M, offered by prospective
buyer Don Beaver, according to Sid Hartman of the
Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The Twins would then remain in MN
run by the Pohlads for two years. If a new stadium is not
built, then MLB, "not the Pohlads would make the decision
whether to move the team." Twins President Jerry Bell: "I
did hear something like that. But it didn't come up in any
of our meetings." Hartman writes the MN Legislature should
holds talks with Pohlad about his investment in a new
facility, for "[d]eep in his heart, Pohlad still wants to
keep baseball here" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/27).
NOTES: The Blue Jays have shifted their Wednesday home
opener from the traditional afternoon start to a night game
"in a bid to draw more customers," but Jays VP/Ticket Sales
George Holm said that "a sellout is not expected" (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 3/27). In Toronto, Mark Zwolinski reports
that the Jays "will have trouble attracting 40,000 fans" on
Opening Day (TORONTO STAR, 3/27)....Hal Bodley profiles
Devil Rays Owner Vince Naimoli in today's USA TODAY.
Bodley: "If you think George Steinbrenner is a hand-on owner
... you should spend a day with Naimoli. He's involved in
every detail of the team" (USA TODAY, 3/27). The Rays
announced that "several thousand" tickets will go on sale
for Tuesday's home opener, a game which had been "previously
billed as a sellout" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/27)....In AZ, Steve
Wilson profiles D'Backs General Managing Partner Jerry
Colangelo, and writes that Colangelo "has taken more than
his share of cheap shots. Next week, an Arizona team will
open its first Major League season in a winning ballpark
that should be a source of statewide pride. He's earned
some applause" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/27)....The Orioles named
David McGowan as the new public address announcer at Camden
Yards (WASHINGTON POST, 3/27)....Tom Cummings, the voice of
the Lipton Tennis Championship since '88, will replace Jay
Rokeach as the Marlins P.A. announcer (MIAMI HERALD, 3/27).
