In L.A., T.J. Simers notes two hours before last night’s Dodgers game, ushers were “stopping fans from lining up for autographs” and telling the fans “they must move to the right and sit down.” But the fans did not get that opportunity for autographs as ushers had not "been given clearance to allow the fans to enter the expensive seats and line up for autographs.” Simers: “The Dodgers have lost connection with their fans, and now those who are showing up are being stopped from fawning over the players” (L.A. TIMES, 4/25).
PHOENIX NOT TAKING FLIGHT: In Phoenix, Paul Coro notes the Suns tonight will play their final home game “without recording a sellout crowd” at U.S. Airways Arena. The shortened schedule “hurt the Suns more than any other team by leaving the East's top draws off their home slate.” The Suns enter tonight's game “with an average home attendance of 15,548, which ranks 21st in the NBA.” This is the team’s “lowest since 1991-92, when they played at Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a capacity of fewer than 15,000.” Their attendance capacity of 84.4% “also ranks 21st” in the league. The Suns last went a season without a sellout “37 years ago” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/25).
PARTING WAYS: ESPN N.Y.’s Rich Cimini cited sources as saying the NFL Jets and their “top college-talent evaluator likely will part ways in the coming weeks … creating a cloud of uncertainty in the organization as it prepares for a critical draft later this week.” Sources said that Jets VP/College Scouting Joey Clinkscales “has drawn interest” from the Raiders. Cimini noted a final decision “hasn't been made, but some believe there will be a mutual parting, with Clinkscales leaving for what would appear to be a lateral move" to work with new Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie (ESPNNY.com, 4/24).
ROYAL PAINS: ESPN's Michael Wilbon said Royals fans are "very worried that what started as an optimistic spring themed ‘Our Time’ could turn into a complete disaster” with the team off to a 3-14 start. The team is hosting the All-Star Game in July, and the concern is there will be "apathy over baseball in general.” ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said fans in K.C. "have been promised that a great farm system was going to lead to a great team." Kornheiser: "They don’t win” ("PTI," ESPN, 4/24).
