On Long Island, David Lennon cited a source as saying the fact that Mets sale talks with prospective minority owner David Einhorn have “continued into July should not be considered a setback.” The source said that the talks were “progressing as expected, but it’s taking longer than expected, and the two sides are not close to an announcement” (NEWSDAY, 7/2). Meanwhile, in N.Y., Christian Red wrote in what is “considered a victory for Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz -- who are being sued for $1 billion by the trustee overseeing the Bernie Madoff collapsed Ponzi scheme -- U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff Friday ruled that the contentious suit be moved from bankruptcy court into federal court in the Southern District of New York” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/2).
GOOD TIMES NEVER SEEMED SO GOOD: In Houston, Richard Justice noted the Astros played “Sweet Caroline,” the Red Sox’ “anthem,” during Sunday’s game between the two teams. The game drew what “likely will be one of the last large crowds of the season,” and why the Astros “decided to play the other team’s fight song speaks volumes about the people in charge.” Justice: “It’s not the most important thing on earth. Maybe the Astros were just thankful to have more than a few thousand people in the stadium regardless of whom they were cheering. But it’s one of those little things that serve as a reminder of how out of touch these people have become. They are out of ideas. They are out of imagination. They just need to go, and the sooner the better” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/5).
KICKED AROUND: In Dallas, Mark Johnson notes a “handful of MLS clubs” are “drawing crowds that rival those of their hometown” MLB teams. The Sounders are averaging 37,265 fans this season, compared with 22,799 for the Mariners. Sporting K.C. and Toronto FC also are “in the ballpark with their baseball neighbors” -- Sporting K.C. averages 18,953 to the Royals’ 19,645, while Toronto FC draws 19,876 to the Blue Jays’ 21,834. There is “good news on many MLS fronts,” as through Sunday MLS attendance was 17,572, up 5.4% from 16,675 last year. Attendance was “up for seven of the 16 clubs that were part of the league last year, “with Sporting K.C. up 84% “after three games in its new stadium” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/6).
PAYING TRIBUTE: The Padres Monday launched a new military-based website, which offers content geared specifically toward military personnel, their dependents and those who support the U.S. Armed Forces. It features videos, photo galleries and stories highlighting individuals who have been honored by the Padres, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s and its players’ relationships with the military community. The website also offers access to special military merchandise and ticket discounts, in addition to the team’s standard military appreciation ticket pricing (Padres).
