On Long Island, Ken Davidoff named his five best owners in MLB, led by the Red Sox's John Henry. Since buying the Red Sox in '02, Henry and his ownership group "turned Fenway Park from a perceived, past-its-prime dump into a valued jewel." In addition, Red Sox execs appointed Theo Epstein GM in '03, and in doing so "instituted a baseball operations department that functions as well as any in the game." Davidoff ranked Yankees co-Chair and Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner second on his list, followed by Phillies President & CEO Dave Montgomery, Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch and Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg (NEWSDAY.com, 8/19). Davidoff also named his five worst owners in MLB, led by Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt. Davidoff: "It's truly amazing how loathed McCourt seems to be, both among the Dodgers fan base and in the Major League baseball offices." Davidoff lists outgoing Astros Owner Drayton McClane second, followed by Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria, Orioles Owner Peter Angelos and Mets Owner Fred Wilpon (NEWSDAY.com 8/19).
PUT IT ON THE TAB: The Dodgers have been billed nearly $2M in legal fees for the first five weeks of the club's ongoing bankruptcy case, according to court documents filed late yesterday and today in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Dewey & LeBoeuf, the lead firm representing Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt in the case, has asked for court approval of $1.37M, representing 80% of its $1.71M in attorneys fees and 100% of costs incurred in the case for the period of June 27, the day the club filed for Chapter 11 protection, to July 31. Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, co-counsel for the case, meanwhile, has asked for court approval of $267,273 in fees (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).
MORE OF A GOOD THING? In Toronto, Richard Griffin reported there is a "strong belief" that Rogers Communications "has already discussed a contract extension" for Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos just 23 months into his tenure. Blue Jays President & CEO Paul Beeston "deserves full credit for insisting" the team hire Anthopoulos. In less than two years, Anthopoulos "has delivered" and Beeston "has been vindicated." Griffin wrote it is "easy to believe" Rogers has "indeed moved to lock up its GM for at least the next five years" (TORONTO STAR, 8/20).
EYEING THE TIGERS: In Detroit, Steve Schrader reported the Tigers are selling playoff tickets to fans "who have partial season-ticket packages -- they have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to buy them." Fans have the option to "buy tickets for the entire postseason now -- ALDS, ALCS, World Series and even a potential tiebreaker game, just in case." Playoff ticket prices "increase with each ensuing round, with some big markups in some price ranges." Until tomorrow, "tickets are $5-$82 for the tiebreaker, $35-$115 for the ALDS, $75-$155 for the ALCS and $90-$255 for the Series" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/22).
FROM THE MINORS: In N.Y., Harvey Araton wrote after a "promising start to the return of minor league baseball" to Newark in '98, a "persistent dark cloud has settled" over the Can-Am Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The team in recent years has "gone into bankruptcy and emerged to an almost nonexistent fan base and grim financial reality." The Bears are "more than $800,000 in arrears on rent to Essex County and have provided little in ticket and sponsorship revenue due to the county." Araton wrote, "Did the city bet on the wrong sport? ... How much better off would Newark be if Newark had pursued professional soccer instead?" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/22). Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Richard Oliver noted a recent city-county sports study found that San Antonio "is ready" for minor league baseball. The study concluded that San Antonio "stacks up wonderfully" as a potential home for Triple-A baseball. California-based Premier Partnerships conducted the study and offered "a checklist of needs to ascend to Triple-A." The city as a Double-A host "has enjoyed a nice run, including the reigning highlight of the current Missions ballclub." But Missions Owner Dave Elmore "controls this market," and he would "need to obtain a Triple-A team and relocate the Double-A franchise elsewhere" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/21).
