MLB Franchise Notes: Indians Deemphasizing Chief Wahoo Logo

NEW HOME, NEW LOOK: In Minneapolis, Joe Christensen reported the Twins in advance of the opening of Target Field next season are "considering a long overdue uniform update." The team has "until May 31 to submit their 2010 uniform plans to Major League Baseball, and there are plans to unveil the changes this fall." Twins President Dave St. Peter: "It's safe to say everything is on the table, but there will not be wholesale change." Twins RF Michael Cuddyer said of the potential uniform change, "I'm all for tradition, but it's not like this is the Yankees, where it's the only uniforms they've worn since 1900" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/12).

BREWING SUCCESS: Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio in a meeting with reporters Friday said that he was "pleased with ticket sales so far this season" and that sponsors have "stayed with the team for the most part as well." Attanasio: "We are keeping sponsorship numbers within our budget. That's a function of not only companies supporting the team, but the Brewers getting good value. We try to make it a business proposition with our sponsors." Attanasio said teams "can actually have a little input" in regard to whom MLB schedules for their home openers, but he added "they don't listen very often" (JSONLINE.com, 4/10).

HITTING FOR AVERAGE: Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg said this year he wants the team's home attendance at Tropicana Field "to be league average at the very least." In St. Petersburg, Marc Topkin notes the MLB average last season was "around 2.6 million." The Rays last season drew 1.8 million fans, "their most since the 1998 inaugural season but still ranked 26th overall." Sternberg, "given the economy and the possibility attendance will be down, or increase less, league-wide," said he has set "a moving target" for attendance. But he added the league average is "the barometer, and it's apples to apples with the rest of the country" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 4/14).

CUBBY HOLD: REUTERS' Ben Klayman reported the sale of the Cubs "could drag on past May" as prospective Owner the Ricketts family arranges financing for its $900M bid. But a source familiar with the sales process said, "I still think we're going to get it done in May. I don't see why we're not" (REUTERS, 3/13).

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