In Atlanta, Hummer & Kanell noted the Braves have the "third-highest payroll" in the NL East at $89M, making them "obvious financial underdogs." They spend "tens of millions less than what the Phillies do on talent." Fans "have been quick to seize on the absentee ownership of Denver-based Liberty Media as a leading cause of the Braves' tightening payroll." But Braves Chair & CEO Terry McGuirk, who has "headed the team's business operations since 2001," said that the Braves are "determined to spend responsibly." Hummer & Kanell noted the team last year "generated a much-improved operating income" of $22.2M, "up from $1.5 million the year before" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 3/27).
DOWNWARD SPIRAL: In Houston, Richard Justice noted the Astros' attendance "has declined for four straight seasons, and it seems almost certain to go down again this season after the Astros did nothing to improve the team." They recorded "eight of the 20 smallest-crowds in the history of Minute Maid Park" last season, and "in the last two years, they've drawn 10 of the 20 smallest-crowds." Owner Drayton McLane "to get fans excited this off-season" announced that he "would sell the team." But while an "overwhelming majority of fans seem happy to have someone else in charge, it's not quite enough to put fannies back in the seats." Justice also noted he has "heard Drayton would like to stay on through the end of this season before turning things over to a new owner" (CHRON.com, 3/29).
TWIN BILLING: In Minneapolis, Jim Souhan wrote 10 years after they "survived attempts to eradicate the franchise, the Twins never have been more popular, or so dominant in a marketplace flush with sports options." Twins President Dave St. Peter said, "The fact that we have 25,000 season tickets, ranking in the top four in MLB, I think is staggering for a franchise that has historically had one of the lowest season-ticket bases in the game. That has turned a lot of heads around Major League Baseball, especially in a down economy" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/27).
BRIGHT LIGHT ON A DARK DAY: In L.A., T.J. Simers wrote at Monday's Angels-Dodgers Spring Training game he found himself "never before caring so little about baseball." The Dodgers' lineup is "uninspiring, second place considered a lofty goal, while much of the attention here centers on the owners." Dodger Stadium "still offers a spectacular view, but the place is a dump and no longer as family friendly." Simers: "Anywhere else this would be beyond depressing, but I'm walking into the Vin Scully Press Box. A press box that still has Vin behind the microphone -- the perfect baseball pick-me-up" (L.A. TIMES, 3/29).
