MLB Franchise Notes: Jeff Moorad Making Smooth Transition

Columnist Examines Moorad’s Tenure With D’Backs

D’Backs General Partner Jeff Moorad’s shift from player agent to front-office exec is examined by USA TODAY’s Hal Bodley, who writes, “As general partner of the Diamondbacks — he’ll be named CEO in the future — he’s doing quite well. He’s made no waves, there have been no conflict-of-interest accusations, and his rebuilt team has been in and out of first place.” MLB Commissioner Bud Selig: “Jeff Moorad has done a very credible, competent job and I think his past has helped him do that. Even though he got it on the other side, he has a lot of experience.” Moorad: “I’ve been on the management side long enough now to say I’m comfortable. I come across new challenges every day” (USA TODAY, 6/16).

NATIONALS: In DC, Barry Svrluga cites a source saying that the first four teams the Nationals played away from home this season “complained to [MLB] about damage to their bullpen sustained when [the team] was in town.” Two sources said that the “most egregious misdeed came” at Citizens Bank Park, where former Nationals bullpen coach John Wetteland “was involved in an attempt to disassemble a video camera.” Wetteland was fired Thursday (WASHINGTON POST, 6/16).

RANGERS: Rangers Owner Tom Hicks said that the team will start eight Friday home games at 7:35pm CT beginning June 30 “to see if the later time, now that school is out, will draw better attendance, make the field and stands in left field a little shadier, and give fans time to fight rush-hour traffic.” The team has been starting home games at 7:05pm (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/15).

ROYALS: ESPN.com’s Jason Whitlock writes of Royals Owner David Glass: “You don’t become the worst owner in professional sports overnight. It’s a process. ... David Glass is no overnight sensation. He’s been cutting corners and making untold millions for years and years.” As Royals Chair, Glass “negotiated a sweetheart, $96[M] sales price of the club for himself — $24[M] less than the other bidder” in ’00 (ESPN.com, 6/15).

TWINS: In Minneapolis, Kent Youngblood reports the Twins gave out 10,000 “Vote Joe!” buttons to promote C Joe Mauer as an All-Star selection before games against the Red Sox on Wednesday and Thursday. The buttons direct fans to the Twins’ Web site (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/16). The Twins are looking for someone to sponsor a planned promotion giving fans “stick-on sideburns that replicate” Mauer’s (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 6/16). The team this season is airing an ad in which Mauer takes off his sideburns and gives them to a child (THE DAILY).