Franchise Notes
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Hicks Won't Sign Free Agents
Without Psychological Testing |
Stars Owner Tom Hicks said that the club will conduct a "psychological review of any free agent it wants to sign," following the team's experience this season with LW Sean Avery, who was released in December following his controversial remarks. Hicks: "We will never make a free agent signing without doing psychological testing ever again as long as I'm the owner." Hicks also said that he has not decided whether the team will continue with its co-GM setup next season. Meanwhile, in Dallas, Richard Durrett reports Stars season-ticket holders who renew by Friday will receive the same price on tickets next season, as well as concession vouchers, but otherwise "there could be a slight increase" in ticket prices. Overall, the Stars "plan to cut season-ticket prices" at least 25% for about 1,200 seats in the lower bowl. Hicks said that renewals are "running at about the same pace as last year" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/25).
LAZY FLY BALL: SI.com's Albert Chen noted there is "zero buzz surrounding Padres camp this year," and you could "blame the WBC, blame the Padres' stinker of a season last year, blame the shrinking payroll" or blame the departures of Ps Trevor Hoffman and Greg Maddux. But "barely 2,000 people have been showing up" for recent Spring Training Games at the Peoria Sports Complex, and the "entire organization seems to be in a bit of a holding pattern with the pending sale" of the team to prospective Owner Jeff Moorad (SI.com, 3/24).
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL: SI.com's Jon Heyman cited sources as saying that Yankees co-Chairs Hal and Hank Steinbrenner in recent weeks "staged serious discussions" with 3B Alex Rodriguez about "toning down his off-field act and focusing entirely" on baseball. While Yankees officials "generally seem to remain concerned about Rodriguez's inability to stay out of the gossip pages, they appear to not be overreacting to the latest A-Rod news -- which includes a narcissistic magazine photo spread" in the April issue of Details (SI.com, 3/24).
MONSTER BASH: Members of the Red Sox Nation (RSN) fan club this season can watch the team's batting practice from the seats above the Green Monster with a valid game ticket, on a first-come, first-served basis. RSN members also are eligible for potential seat upgrades throughout the season, and RSN President Jerry Remy and VP Rob Crawford later this year plan to appoint "Ambassadors" for several countries where the Red Sox have a strong fan presence (Red Sox).
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