MLB Franchise Notes: BoSox Sponsoring Urban Chicago Team

In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote the Red Sox, who were the last MLB team to integrate, “are trying to lead a resurgence in increasing the number of African-American players” in MLB. The Red Sox are sponsoring an “inner-city team in Chicago, in a four-team league also sponsored by” the Dodgers, Angels and Rangers. Red Sox Assistant Scouting Dir Amiel Sawdaye said, “During our scouting and player development meeting in Las Vegas recently, we spoke about plans to increase youth minority participation. As an industry, we have to help these kids in the inner city by showing them how to play baseball and hopefully keep them out of trouble” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/27).

GIMME SHELTER: In Pittsburgh, John Hayes reported a postgame concert by Me First & the Gimme Gimmes following Giants-Pirates Thursday at PNC Park “disintegrated into boos, jeers and an abrupt exodus of frustrated fans.” The “punk cover band known for its spoofs of contemporary and classic rock hits” had been scheduled to play three consecutive nights of Skyblast, a “well-publicized, Alcoa-sponsored, choreographed fireworks and laser light show,” but was “canned after one show.” Pirates VP/Communications Patty Paytas said, “We missed the mark. ... It just wasn’t the right type of band” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/26).

SELLING OUT: Single-A NY-Penn League Staten Island Yankees co-Owners Stanley and Josh Getzler “are reportedly selling their 51% of the team” to the Yankees. Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner’s son, Hal, owns the remaining 49% of the club. The Getzlers have been majority owners for seven years (CRAINS’ N.Y. BUSINESS, 8/28 issue).