Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino acknowledged that Fenway Park’s “sellout streak will be mercifully retired this month, probably Wednesday.” In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy notes the “bogus” streak will “reach 794 today” for the team’s home opener against the Orioles. Lucchino’s comments are “more welcome truth” from the Red Sox front office (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/8). Red Sox official ticket reseller Ace Tickets Founder & CEO Jim Holzman said, “We find ourselves with some excessive inventory. These have been the lowest prices we’ve seen in three years” (BOSTON HERALD, 4/7).
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY: ESPN’s Buster Olney cited rival team execs who said that they "really believe that the Astros are set-up for a big bounceback” in the next few years because they have been picking at the top of the MLB Draft. However, there is "some talk among other teams, some concern, about whether or not in 2013 the Astros are putting a representative product on the field." Olney: "Some people with other teams are saying, ‘You know what, the Astros should have spent more money than the $18.7 million on their payroll, gotten more veterans to help this team this year.’ They don’t want to have a situation where we have a 2013 version of the 1962 Mets” (“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 4/7).
SUGGESTION BOX: In K.C., Sam Mellinger writes Royals fans "had a hand in the team that’s playing in Kansas City for the first time this afternoon.” Mellinger: "Nobody with the Royals will say this out loud, but it’s the truth all the same: Ownership had no plans to extend the payroll to a franchise-record $80.5 million this year until you made yourself heard.” Royals Owner David Glass “continues to do what he thinks is best for the Royals, and that opinion has been shaped by you” (K.C. STAR, 4/8).
FRENCH RECONNECTION? In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted former MLBer Warren Cromartie and Montreal Board of Trade President & CEO Michel Leblanc are “among many involved in the Montreal Baseball Project who believe the sport can make it” in the city, despite the Expos having left in ’04. However, Orioles Exec VP/Baseball Operations Dan Duquette, who worked in the Expos’ front office, said, “Montreal is a great city. I’m not too sure that Montreal is a viable market for Major League Baseball.” Leblanc, who “thinks the team would have to be in the American League, feels natural rivalries would be formed with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Yankees.” MLB has “not commented on Montreal’s exploration, waiting until the data is in” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/7).
