BASEBALL: In N.Y., gossip columnist Neal Travis creates
a scenario in which, following a World Series win this year,
"maximizing their value," Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner
sells his team for around $500M and buys his home-town Devil
Rays "for less than half that price." Travis: "I'm not
saying the owner has actively explored this scenario" (N.Y.
POST, 5/12)....ESPN's Peter Gammons, on Cubs P Kerry Wood:
"It's just wonderful for the Cubs. They're a team that in
the '90s [has] really struggled. ... But now to put out
there on WGN all the time, they have their home-grown hero
that people will look forward to pitching every five days"
("SportsCenter," 5/11). Wood, on whether he sees himself
getting endorsements soon: "I've had six starts. I don't
think it's commercial time yet" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/12).
..Former Durham Bulls Owner Miles Wolff Jr. will be the
owner of a new Quebec City franchise in the Northeast League
of Professional Baseball. The Quebec City team, yet
unnamed, will begin play in '99. Wolff also is Commissioner
of the independent Northern League and President of Baseball
America, the bi-weekly publication (Northeast League).
EN FUEGO: In its inaugural season, the MLS Fire is
drawing an average crowd of 29,413 per game at Soldier
Field. Fire GM Peter Wilt: "This isn't going to be typical
throughout the year. Especially when we get to weeknight
games." The Fire has only five weekend dates among its 13
remaining home games (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/12).