In Houston, Jose de Jesus Ortiz noted Astros Owner Jim Crane is “willing to increase payroll” if GM Jeff Luhnow “finds a deal to help the club at the non-waiver trade deadline.” Crane: “If we get a deal we’d like, we’d certainly like to pull the trigger. We also don’t want to sacrifice the future. We think we’re in good shape for the future. We have a little room to increase payroll if necessary.” He added, "Attendance is better and numbers are better. But we won’t make a deal that gives away the future” (CHRON.com, 7/20).
RAYS OF LIGHT? In Tampa, John Romano notes the Rays are “the No. 2-watched programming in Tampa Bay whenever they air in prime time on Sun Sports.” Romano: “Let that sink in. No. 2.” The Rays are “getting a higher percentage of TV viewers than the Yankees or Dodgers do” in their home markets. Combine a community “on the low end of the household income scale with a sport that typically needs to sell 2 million tickets a year, you have a challenge.” This is how the team ends up with “a lot of fans watching, but not so many attending” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/21).
ANYTHING WITH A GLEN: In Edmonton, Joanne Ireland noted the “last banner to go up in Rexall Place will be the one celebrating” former Oilers coach, President and GM Glen Sather, who helped guide the team to five Stanley Cups. Sather “will be saluted on Dec. 11” when the Rangers are at Rexall Place to play the Oilers. He left the Oilers in ’00 to become the Rangers’ GM, a position he stepped down from this month. Oilers Entertainment Group Vice Chair Kevin Lowe said that “there will be a significant focus on the team’s past” during its final season at the arena (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 7/20).
YARD SALE: On Long Island, Peter Cappiello notes the Islanders are holding a “collectible blowout sale, featuring unique items, mostly from suites and executive offices, in addition to discounted retail merchandise” from Nassau Coliseum. The sale “extends through Saturday.” Islanders Dir of Licensing Terry Goldstein said, “We’re going to be closing up the Coliseum and we had some really neat things we thought fans would like to have an opportunity to purchase” (NEWSDAY, 7/21).
