In Miami, Linda Robertson writes under the header, "Marlins' Instability Begins With Jeffrey Loria." Observers "could argue that Loria’s meddling on personnel decisions hasn’t had much effect on a team that was doomed to hit the 100-loss mark." However, his "constant interference is causing instability -- again -- for a ballclub that desperately needs to follow a blueprint." Passion is a "positive thing," and Loria "loves baseball, loves to win, loves to be involved." But he "goes about it in the wrong way by micromanaging and second-guessing his employees" (MIAMI HERALD, 9/20).
YAMAUCHI'S LEGACY WITH MARINERS: In Seattle, Jerry Brewer writes late Mariners Owner Hiroshi Yamauchi will "go down in Seattle a most peculiar silent donor," as he "saved baseball here in 1992, enduring six months of harsh scrutiny and discrimination to become baseball’s first foreign principal owner." If fans "view Yamauchi more as a donor and not a typical majority owner, then you’re left to reason that he did all that he intended with the Mariners." The team is "still in Seattle," and the "product is awful right now, but the Mariners are financially stable" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/20).
BREWERS SEE ATTENDANCE DROP: In Milwaukee, Don Walker reported the Brewers "will likely draw in the range of 2.5 million or more fans" this season entering the final home series. That is a "big drop from last year (2,831,385) and in 2011 (3,071,373)." However, when comparing the team's 68-84 entering Friday with the "records of other poorly performing baseball teams and their attendance," fans continue to support the Brewers in "impressive numbers" (JSONLINE.com., 9/18).
NATIONALS AUCTIONING OFF JERSEYS: In DC, Sarah Kogod reported the Nationals are auctioning off the game-worn, patriotic blue jerseys worn Tuesday during the team's first game following the Navy Yard shootings to "benefit the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)." The jerseys are autographed, and the bidding for Nationals CF Bryce Harper's jersey "is currently sitting" at $2,300 (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/19).
