FAREWELL TO COUNTY STADIUM: In Milwaukee, Crocker
Stephenson writes that it "is unlikely that there has ever
been a more august crowd" than the 56,354 people who
attended yesterday's Reds-Brewers game, the final game at
County Stadium (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/29).
SET TO XCEL? In Minneapolis, Linda Mack reviews the new
Xcel Energy Center, which opens tonight, and writes that the
facility "isn't beautiful, but it's a decent, neighborly
building that will admirably fulfill its mission." Mack:
"The four entrances are easy to find and clearly marked.
And the inside is airy, varied and open to the city views.
This openness is this building's best asset" (Minneapolis
STAR TRIBUNE, 9/29). In St. Paul, Aron Kahn writes that the
"basics will all be there -- the ice, the seats, the hot
dogs and sound-and-light show that will surge from a monster
scoreboard," but the building "will be missing a few
pieces." The Headwaters, one of two restaurants in the
building, "will not be open because construction work isn't
finished." Meanwhile, the Hockey Lodge retail store is not
completed either (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/29).
NOTES: In Minneapolis, Kevin Seifert writes that after
signing a contract extension, Vikings coach Dennis Green has
"volunteered to take a more active role in the team's drive"
for a new stadium (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/29). In St.
Paul, Charley Walters writes that Green's contract, which
could surpass $10.5M if he achieves all incentive bonuses,
includes a $10,000 bonus for every sellout at the Metrodome
(ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/29)....In San Diego, Philip
LaVelle wrote that in news conferences Wednesday, mayoral
candidates Dick Murphy and Ron Roberts "suggested" that the
Chargers "have failed to put their 'best effort'" into
marketing tickets to home games. In a "striking shift,"
Roberts "took a hard line against" Padres Owner John Moores
and City Council member Valerie Stallings, "blaming the
pending halt" of the Padres ballpark construction on them.
Both Moores and Stallings "are under investigation by a
federal grand jury." Roberts: "It's unfortunate because the
city didn't cause the problem" (UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/28).
