Franchise Notes

Wang Firming Up Plans For Islanders To Hold Camp In China

Sources said that the Islanders "will travel to China in September for eight to 10 days of training camp for the 2010-11 season." The deal "has been agreed to in principle but no contract has been signed." The sources said that team Owner Charles Wang, who was born in Shanghai, is "enthused about the project and is forging ahead to firm up plans." It is "believed the Islanders will make stops in Beijing and Shanghai during their Asian jaunt" (Katie Strang, NEWSDAY, 2/1).

RAM TOUGH: In St. Louis, Bernie Miklasz wrote while SCP Worldwide Chair Dave Checketts is the "only clear pro-STL guy among the three parties that are trying to buy" the Rams, team co-Owner Chip Rosenbloom is not "obligated to accept Checketts' bid if the offer comes in at price significantly lower than the other two bids." Checketts is "still working hard to reinforce his proposal and put as much money into the deal as possible." He "recently met with another big-time player in the St. Louis community and secured a tentative commitment to join the group." Miklasz: "I do not know how this is going to turn out, but Checketts is determined to pull it off. And this would be a good time for other players in the STL community to get off the sidelines" (STLTODAY.com, 2/1).

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reported the group of nine Marlins players and execs who traveled to the Middle East last week returned to the U.S. on Monday, and based on "how well received the visit was, club officials are already brainstorming what to do for the troops next year." Marlins President David Samson: "This will be the first step of our continuing program to entertain and visit troops around the world. ... It's been better than we had ever planned" (MLB.com, 2/1).

THE GREAT DIVIDE: In N.Y., Ben Shpigel writes under the header, "McGwire Is Testing A Loyal Baseball Town." St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz said of Mark McGwire becoming the Cardinals' hitting coach, "If you get away from the hardcore base, there's been a legitimate and powerful debate whether this is a good thing or not." Miklasz said that in the 25 years he has been in St. Louis he has "never seen or heard the community divided about anything involving the Cardinals." Cardinals VP & GM John Mozeliak said of McGwire's past steroid use, "It's a mistake, but if you own up to it, you should be forgiven and should be allowed to work in the game and do whatever you like" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/2).

SHIPPING UP TO BOSTON? Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino Friday on WEEI-AM's "Dennis and Callahan" said that the team has made former Red Sox Exec VP/Public Affairs Charles Steinberg "an offer to return" to the club. In Boston, Chad Finn noted Steinberg "played a major role in enhancing the fan experience at Fenway Park after the team was sold to the current ownership" in '02. Steinberg left the Red Sox in '07 for a "similar position with the Dodgers." He "left the Dodgers in October 2009 amid front-office chaos related to the messy divorce" of Frank and Jamie McCourt (BOSTON.com, 1/29).