Virginia Baseball Chair William Collins said yesterday he
believes he and his group will be able to purchase the Pirates
within the next month and move them to the DC-area for the '96
season, according to this morning's WASHINGTON POST. Collins
said he expects he will pay approximately $100M for the team,
which would play at DC's RFK Stadium for two to three years while
a new park is built in Northern VA. CA newspaper heir Kevin
McClatchy has exclusive negotiating rights with the team's
ownership until the end of next week. Mark Maske reports that
although the team is only taking offers from those interested in
staying in Pittsburgh, "baseball sources say that Pittsburgh
politicians may be on the verge of giving up their efforts to
keep the Pirates." Maske writes that if McClatchy's bid falls
through, the team will begin accepting bids from parties
interested in moving the club later this month. Collins: "I
believe the opportunity is going to present itself, lightning is
going to strike and we're going to be playing in RFK Stadium in
April of 1996" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/12). More from Collins:
"They've been trying to sell for 18 months ... they're running
out of choices. We can write a check ... and I've told our
organization to plan for us beginning to play (in Washington)
next year" (AP/Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 9/12).
LAND OF GRIDLOCK: Thom Loverro reports in this morning's
WASHINGTON TIMES that while Pirates officials say a move to the
DC-area would likely be approved, it would also likely face "a
strong legal battle" from Orioles Owner Peter Angelos. The O's
receive an estimated 25% of their fan base from the DC area.
Orlando businessman Norton Herrick is also expected to compete
for the team, but Collins "dismissed the chances of an Orlando
move." Collins: "I can't see Major League Baseball allowing a
team in Orlando right on top of an expansion franchise not off
the ground yet" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/12). RFK Stadium would need
an estimated $7M in renovations, and Collins said Virginia
Baseball has been in contact with HOK of Kansas City about
possible repairs (WASHINGTON POST, 9/12).
DON'T GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT: Ketchum Advertising of
Pittsburgh has donated $25,000 in billboard advertising to the
team for a campaign to save the team (USA TODAY, 9/12).
