Red Sox CEO John Harrington yesterday "flatly denied
suggestions that top officials" from FleetBoston Financial
"have determined the team cannot privately raise the more
than $350 million the Red Sox need" to build a new ballpark,
according to Meg Vaillancourt of the BOSTON GLOBE. Red Sox
ballpark spokesperson Kathryn St. John: "We are still
awaiting word from our bankers." Harrington also looked to
reassure Boston Mayor Thomas Menino yesterday when the two
spoke. But Vaillancourt notes that Harrington "declined to
say he's confident the team can find financing" and has said
that "he will consult a number of financial advisers
independent of Fleet" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/27). Red Sox execs
said yesterday they "feel stronger than ever" that the team
will qualify for the private ballpark financing via loans
syndicated by FleetBoston (BOSTON HERALD, 9/27).
VERY STRANGE DAYS, INDEED: The Red Sox issued a
statement to fans yesterday stating that Harrington, Red Sox
Exec VP/GM Dan Duquette and manager Jimy Williams "had a
lengthy lunch meeting Monday and had a very thorough and
open discussion" during which they "aired-out any issues and
some misunderstandings." The lunch stemmed from events over
the weekend in Boston where Duquette did not issue support
of Williams' comments about CF Carl Everett (THE DAILY).
