MLB Franchise Notes

Willis Lone Remaining Pitcher From Marlins' ’03 World Series Team

The Pirates averaged 18,754 fans through 21 home games, down from 20,977 at the same point last year. Pirates Chair Bob Nutting: “I’m concerned with it and not satisfied, obviously, but there have been a number of factors. Clearly, the season tickets are down, coming off an All-Star year. The weather has been a significant factor, too. It’s been a remarkably cold start.” In Pittsburgh, Dejan Kovacevic writes the 20% reduction in season tickets is “largely, no doubt, because the lure of All-Star Game tickets was lost” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/20).

FISH OR CUT BAIT? In N.Y., Murray Chass noted while the Marlins have retained P Dontrelle Willis from their ’03 World Series pitching staff, “they let other pitchers go in trades or as free agents.” That includes Josh Beckett, Brad Penny, Carl Pavano, Mark Redman, A.J. Burnett and Braden Looper. Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria: “The economics of baseball dictate what they dictate. There’s so much flux and movement because of the economics of the game. It’s almost like nothing is guaranteed. There are a number of other teams from that year who don’t have the same pitchers” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/20).

TAKING SOME HICKS: In Ft. Worth, Jim Reeves writes Owner Tom Hicks “is the root cause of many of the Rangers' problems, whether he'll admit it or not, and not all of it even has to do with the fact that he spends money like he owns a team in Tampa or [K.C.] instead of a top 10 market.” He hired the youngest GM in baseball history, Jon Daniels, and then “compounded the problem by signing off on a manager with absolutely zero major league managerial experience.” He also “won't let the Rangers actually go through the painful but necessary process of actually rebuilding. ... Instead, they patch their gaping holes every off-season as best they can, then talk optimistically about having the firepower to compete” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/22).

ROCKY ROAD: In Denver, Mark Kiszla writes under the header, “Monforts Should Do The Right Thing And Sell The Rockies.” Kiszla writes the team has “crumbled at the feet of the Monfort brothers. It’s time for Coloradans to pick up the pieces and rekindle the dream.” A grassroots movement “to pressure the Monforts to sell” the team has begun. On May 14, a fan launched monfortsmustsell.com, which drew more than 4,000 hits in its first week (DENVER POST, 5/22).

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY: USA TODAY’s Hal Bodley writes the Dodgers “are still the dominant team in Southern California, but the Angels are gaining ground.” Long Beach Press-Telegram columnist Doug Krikorian: “They were always the bridesmaid to the Dodgers, but no longer. They still don’t get the No. 1 play in the Los Angeles Times the Dodgers get, but they get better coverage than they used to.” L.A. Times Sports Editor Randy Harvey said when interleague play began, “You’d go to a game at Angel Stadium and it might have been 60-40 for Dodgers. There was more blue than red. I noticed this weekend it was probably 60-40 the other way” (USA TODAY, 5/22).