MLB Franchise Notes: Greenberg, Ryan Work Closely In Rangers Bid

Ryan Helping Prepare  Final Bid For Rangers

In Dallas, Evan Grant reports the "working partnership" between Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg and Rangers President Nolan Ryan "appears to be more formal than ever ... as the contenders for the Rangers' ownership finalize their bids for control of the team." A source said that Greenberg and Ryan "have worked more and more closely over the last month as they prepare their final bid," which is due before Thanksgiving. The source said that they have "met together with local investors," and that they have "received significant interest from local investors to the point the group could be called more local than national" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/18). In Pittsburgh, Rob Biertempfel notes Greenberg "spent much of the past several weeks in Arlington, Texas, meeting with Rangers front office staff and members of the current ownership group" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 11/18).

NATIONAL TREASURE? In DC, Mark Zuckerman noted the team has added aournd 17 "new front office positions in the last six weeks." While "some of those are part-time international scouts," it shows the "emphasis that has been placed on beefing up the front office." Meanwhile, the Nationals "have finalized a deal to build a new Dominican academy in Boca Chica after spending the last year renting a facility owned by Rawlings in the same area" (WASHINGTONTIMES.com, 11/17). Meanwhile, also in DC, Dick Heller noted the Nationals "have introduced 'great value-packed incentives'" for fans buying '10 season-ticket packages. Each fan "will receive up to $7 per ticket in 'added value' that can be used to purchase food, drinks and team merchandise at Nationals Park." Heller wrote, "During these perilous economic times, the idea of getting something for nothing is more attractive than ever. As opposed to usually getting nothing for something when you sit in the stands" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/15).

A STEP UP: In Minneapolis, Michael Rand writes of the Twins' new uniforms, "While retro can be overdone, there is absolutely not a thing wrong with those home throwback uniforms that pay homage to the 1961 season and the upcoming 50th year of Twins baseball." Also, the "road grays are an upgrade in the eyes of some (though not all) as well" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/18).