In San Antonio, W. Scott Bailey reported there "is optimism" that the H-E-B Big League Weekend at the Alamodome "will outdraw" last year. Nearly 50,000 fans "passed through the Alamodome turnstyles" last year for the Rangers-Astros games, down from attendance of "roughly 75,000" for the inaugural event in '13. This year's event is set for March 20-21 between the Dodgers and Rangers, and there is "genuine interest" among organizers "to extend the event beyond this year" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/10).
SPRING HAS SPRUNG: In Phoenix, Parker Leavitt noted the Cubs last week drew "the biggest crowd ever at a Cactus League baseball game, already topping a mark set last year in the inaugural season at the club's new Mesa ballpark." A "record crowd of 15,331" were at Sloan Park on March 6 for an afternoon game against the Reds. It also was a "record-setting weekend" for the D-Backs, who drew the "largest crowd ever" at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick with attendance of 12,976 on Sunday against the Giants (AZCENTRAL.com, 3/9).
MIAMI NICE: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes the Marlins, the team that "made fire sale a part of the lexicon in Miami, a team that lost 100 games two years ago, are now carrying the torch for their region," and the front office "can't hide its enthusiasm." The Heat "haven't been heard of since LeBron James ditched them over the summer," and the Dolphins "haven't been to the Super Bowl since the 1984 season, reaching the playoffs once" since '02. The NHL Panthers "haven't finished higher than fifth place in five of the last six years." It is a "whole new era in Miami." None of this optimism for the Marlins "would be possible" without RF Giancarlo Stanton "agreeing to perhaps spend the rest of his career in South Florida" (USA TODAY, 3/11).
DEAR JON: In Ft. Worth, Mac Engel noted Rangers President of Baseball Operations & GM Jon Daniels last season "addressed the players with a locker room speech shortly after the All-Star break," but there is "no need to do it again" this year. Addressing the players "will be viewed as a GM who continues to do what a lot of the new breed of GMs are doing these days by taking on more of a role outside of personnel, and into managing the players and the game itself." Engel: "The power pyramid of the Rangers' organization is clear: JD sits at the top. The power pyramid of a clubhouse, however, should not involve the GM. it's the manager who sits at the top" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/10).
