| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Sammy Sosa Ejected From Devil Rays-Cubs Game For Using A Corked Bat |
| • | Dolgin’s Media Connect Partners To Be Acquired Today By L.A. Investment Firm |
| • | Tickets For Canadiens-Oilers Outdoor Game To Go On Sale Today In Edmonton |
| • | MLB Commissioner Bud Selig To Discipline Steinbrenner For Comments |
| • | Complete Attendance Wrap-Up From Last Night’s MLB Interleague Games |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
SOSA CORKED BAT CONTROVERSY THE TALK OF THE SPORTS WORLD
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that Cubs RF Sammy Sosa was ejected in the first inning of last night’s game against the Devil Rays “for using an illegally corked bat, igniting a controversy that figures to linger for quite some time.” MLB “almost certainly” will suspend Sosa, who admitted that the bat had been corked, but said he used it previously only in batting practice “to put on a show for the fans” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/4). Sosa: “You know there’s going to be some fans probably right now that aren’t too happy about it. I understand that. It’s going to be hard for me to go through the process, but I have to deal with that” (“Outside The Lines Nightly,” ESPN, 6/3).
Sosa said an MLB representative “confiscated all his bats but insisted no other corked ones would be found” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/4). Cubs manager Dusty Baker: “The way I heard the clubhouse was surrounded, you would think they were looking for the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list guys” (MLB.com, 6/3).
ESPN’s Peter Gammons: “This is serious for him, ... the highest-paid player off the field in baseball. He’s the most marketable player in the game, and image is very big” ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN, 6/3).
Cubs P Shawn Estes was able to make light of the situation, saying, “Kerry Wood and I were more worried about what type of vintage cork he had in his bat. ... We were predicting that he had a ‘94 Cabernet in there, but we couldn’t get a piece of it” (ESPN Radio, 6/4).
L.A. INVESTMENT FIRM TO ACQUIRE MEDIA CONNECT PARTNERS
DAILY VARIETY reports that L.A. investment firm Houlihan, Lokey, Howard & Zukin today will announce the acquisition of L.A.-based consulting and investment firm Media Connect Partners, which was jointly founded in January by former FSN President Tracy Dolgin, Hollywood producer Gary Adelson and former Disney and Fox exec Jon Richmond. Financial terms of the acquisition were not revealed (DAILY VARIETY, 6/4).
OILERS TO PLACE OUTDOOR GAME TICKETS ON SALE TODAY
The EDMONTON JOURNAL reports that tickets will go on sale today for the Canadiens-Oilers outdoor game, which is scheduled for November 22 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The game is expected to “draw the second-largest crowd in hockey history,” more than 55,000. The only detail “left to clean up is a public blessing from the [NHLPA], but that won’t stop the club from making it all official” (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 6/4).
FIVE CITIES TO PITCH NCAA ON HOSTING FUTURE FROZEN FOUR
The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER reports that contingents from Philadelphia, Denver, St. Paul, Detroit and St. Louis will make presentations today in Indianapolis to the NCAA in hopes of hosting the NCAA Div. I Men’s Hockey Championship, the Frozen Four, in ’07 and/or ’08. A decision is expected by the end of June (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/4).
SPONS-O-METER: THE FRENCH OPEN
Andre Agassi’s loss to Guillermo Coria in the quarterfinals of the French Open leaves the dominant Serena Williams as the lone American to reach a singles semifinal. Will U.S. fans turn their attention away from Roland Garros? To see a full list of the tournament’s corporate partners this could impact, see today’s issue of The Daily.
MORNING BRIEFS
The AUGUSTA CHRONICLE reports that The Masters next year will not have TV sponsors or commercials for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Augusta National Golf Club yesterday announced that it will distribute $3.2M from this year’s tournament to charities (AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, 6/4).
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is planning to discipline Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner for the “critical comments” he made about the interleague schedule and MLB VP/Scheduling & Club Relations Katy Feeney (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/4). N.Y. DAILY NEWS columnist Mike Lupica writes of Feeney, “As a person, she is worth 20 of Steinbrenner” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/4).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that Nets/Devils CEO Lou Lamoriello will suggest altering the NHL’s penalty box rule at league meetings this month in Nashville. Instead of releasing a player from the box after the opposing team scores a goal, the proposed rule “would make the violator serve the full two minutes of a minor penalty” (N.Y. TIMES, 6/4).
The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that financial services company Assante Corp. is “actively searching for a buyer as it grapples with declining sales and a weak outlook for the mutual fund business.” The company has hired investment bank CIBC World Markets to find a suitor (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/4).
NBA Commissioner David Stern, on USA Today reporting that NBA playoff ratings are down: “You shouldn’t believe what you read in USA Today, particularly if it’s in Rudy Martzke’s column. Their reporting on ratings and other things is really regularly incorrect and slanted” ("Rome Is Burning," ESPN, 6/3).
The DENVER POST reports that Denver “could be awarded the 2005 NBA All-Star Game as soon as next week.” Kroenke Sports Enterprises Exec VP David Ehrlich said that the “only remaining issues are minor, primarily regarding the expanding convention center” (DENVER POST, 6/4).
The SEATTLE TIMES reports that WA State Univ. (WSU) will be reimbursed $225,000 from the Pac-10 as a “result of its ticket shortfall for the Rose Bowl.” WSU officials “had asked for relief of $538,000 from the Pac-10, pleading that the lateness of the determination of the Cougars’ participation (December 7) against Oklahoma and the sour economy led to one of the lowest ticket demands in Rose Bowl history” (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/4).
The LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL reports that the Mountain West Conference BOD yesterday said that the conference will “look into expanding the league by up to four teams by 2006 while continuing to fight for permanent access” to the BCS (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/4).
The WASHINGTON POST reports that Evander Holyfield said that he is “in negotiations to fight Roy Jones, Jr. for the WBA heavyweight title October 4 at Madison Square Garden” (WASHINGTON POST, 6/4).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
MLB last night began the seventh season of interleague play in 13 National League ballparks. The following lists attendance figures from last night as compared to the season averages at the home parks:
| Home Team | Opponent | Last Night | Season Average (Through 6/2) |
| Braves | Rangers | 30,444 | 26,837 |
| Marlins | A’s | 10,195 | 13,331 |
| Expos* | Angels | 10,034 | 14,282* |
| Phillies | Mariners | 18,029 | 21,676 |
| Cubs | D’Rays | 32,210 | 34,440 |
| Reds | Yankees | 41,827 | 27,316 |
| Pirates | Red Sox | Postponed | 18,865 |
| Cardinals | Blue Jays | 28,907 | 36,714 |
| Astros | Orioles | 25,545 | 27,055 |
| Giants | Twins | 34,713 | 38,498 |
| D’Backs | White Sox | 33,544 | 33,226 |
| Dodgers | Royals | 26,409 | 34,700 |
| Padres | Tigers | 15,521 | 23,035 |
| Rockies | Indians | 22,326 | 28,561 |
*As last night’s Angels-Expos game was played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Expos’ average attendance figure represents the previous ten games the club played in Puerto Rico.
The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE reports that a crowd of approximately 25,000 “had assembled for the festivities scheduled” around the Red Sox-Pirates game last night at PNC Park before the game was postponed. While the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader, the originally scheduled festivities to remember the 1903 World Series will be made up Friday at 7:05pm ET (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/4).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that the city of Dallas will raise a Spurs flag on the ceremonial flagpole on City Hall Plaza as part of a wager made between Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza on the Mavericks-Spurs Western Conference Finals (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/4).
THE BACK PAGES
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sports covers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:
| | |
| N.Y. Post | N.Y. Daily News |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The NJSEA will conduct a regularly scheduled board meeting at 11:00am ET at the Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ (THE DAILY).
Fox Sports Net will televise the drawing for the 135th Belmont Stakes live at 11:00am ET. John Imbriane will host with Rick Lang and Mike Sherrack serving as analysts (THE DAILY).
NBC Sports will host a 2:00pm ET conference call to preview its coverage of the 135th Belmont Stakes. NBC Sports Producer David Michaels, host Tom Hammond, race announcer Tom Durkin and handicappers Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia are expected to participate (THE DAILY).
NASCAR Winston Cup driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will appear from noon-2:00pm CT at Carson Pirie Scott outside Chicago. As part of the Drakkar Noir-sponsored event, Earnhardt will sign bottles for the first 400 people to purchase a 6.7 ounce bottle of Drakkar Noir spray (THE DAILY).
The MIAMI HERALD reports that the trial of former FL State Univ. QB Adrian McPherson for a misdemeanor gambling charge will begin today at 8:30am ET and be televised by Court TV. The trial is scheduled to last until Friday (MIAMI HERALD, 6/4).
Nike Canada will announce details of a Toronto summer event at a 12:25pm ET news conference at Dundas Square in Toronto. CFNY-FM’s “The Dean Blundell Show” personality Todd Shapiro, Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and the 80-member Nike Running Pack are scheduled to attend (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
Coca-Cola named former Eastman Kodak Senior VP & Consumer Imaging Division President Daniel Palumbo CMO, succeeding Stephen Jones, who resigned in March. Palumbo will report to Coca-Cola President & COO Steven Heyer (THE DAILY).
The WASHINGTON POST reports that America Online has “lost more than 1 million dial-up customers since the dramatic decline in its subscriber base began late last year.” The decrease is “much steeper than AOL had projected,” and AOL CFO Wayne Pace said that the “only way for the Internet unit to meet cash-flow targets for the year is to cut costs relentlessly” (WASHINGTON POST, 6/4).
The N.Y. POST reports that Spike Lee Monday filed suit in NY State Supreme Court against Spike TV – “claiming the soon-to-be-renamed network, currently TNN, ripped off his name and ‘irreverent’ personality” (N.Y. POST, 6/4).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Medical Products.”
“On June 12, 2001, Johnson & Johnson re-launched this brand with a ceremony in a Missouri city.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “The oldest New Yorker passed away two days ago at 110-years old. Now, that moves Joan Rivers up to the top spot. ... Earlier tonight over on NBC, they had the annual Miss Universe Pageant. I love the talent portion of the competition. Miss Iraq was competing this year, and her talent was looting an appliance store. Miss New York was of course in the Miss Universe Pageant. Her talent was breaking into a Lexus with a wire coat hanger while smoking a cigarette. Miss Canada was also in the Miss Universe Pageant. She was wearing a bikini and a SARS mask. ... George Bush left the (G8 Summit) over there in France and he’s in Egypt right now. He’s very excited. He said he always wanted to see where they tape the ‘$20,000 Pyramid.’ ... Apparently, Saddam is not dead. He’s hiding out in the suburbs of Baghdad. Neighbors say that he is sullen. He is moody. He rarely comes out of the house. He sends bodyguards out for supplies. No wait, that’s me. ... You know the number one movie in the country now is that cartoon 'Finding Nemo.’ It’s a wonderful movie and kids love it, and I believe it’s based on a game that President Clinton used to play with the interns” ("Late Show," CBS, 6/3).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “Earlier this week, President Bush met with French President Jacques Chirac for the first time since France came out against the war in Iraq. It was kind of hard for them to communicate because you know Chirac’s English is not very good and Bush’s English is even worse. ... Did you see the pictures of the two of them standing there? I haven’t seen forced smiles on two people like that since the last time Bill and Hillary stood together. ... Still no word on Osama bin Laden. No word on Saddam Hussein, but federal authorities said today they may be closing in Martha Stewart. ... Yesterday, England’s Queen Elizabeth celebrated 50 years on the throne. I didn’t even know they had a Taco Bell over there. ... Southern Methodist University has now opened a college of video games. It’s a school where the students can actually specialize and major in video games. Finally, a degree more useless than political science” ("Tonight Show," NBC, 6/3).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things Agreed Upon At The G8 Summit” ("Late Show," CBS, 6/3).
| 10) “The ‘G’ in ‘G8’ stands for gravy.” |
| 9) “Jacques Chirac's influence is severely hampered by his silly rhyming name.” |
| 8) “German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has a lovely singing voice.” |
| 7) “If you leave 'Finding Nemo' with a dry eye, call the morgue – you’re dead!” |
| 6) “The translator for the Russian delegation is a total babe.” |
| 5) “You think relations in the Middle East are bad, check in with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in a couple of years.” |
| 4) “The global economic downturn is the result of a glitch in the Matrix.” |
| 3) “George W. Bush really has to stop saying, ‘I should have had a G8.’” |
| 2) “The summit’s in France, which means The New York Times reporter is probably in Brooklyn.” |
| 1) “Whoever finds Saddam Hussein wins a 2003 Pontiac Aztek.” |
CBS’ Craig Kilborn: “The Dixie Chicks have postponed a show in Toronto because of SARS. But the real rumor is that SARS doesn’t want to be seen anywhere near the Dixie Chicks. … Attorneys for Michael Jackson say he is struggling to reduce expenses to avoid bankruptcy. Do you think it’s easy to fire a chimp on roller skates? … Hillary Clinton’s 576-page memoirs come out next week. So much of her personality shines through, that in the end, you’ll want to sleep with an intern” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 6/3).
TUESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
ESPN’s 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” led with Cubs RF Sammy Sosa being ejected from last night’s Devil Rays-Cubs game for using a corked bat, followed by the Yankees naming SS Derek Jeter as team captain and Yankees-Reds.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What is St. Joseph Aspirin?”
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