In Sacramento, Martin McNeal noted that potential No. 1
NBA draft pick Mike Bibby is represented by David Falk, "who
would love nothing more than to have his client" in L.A.
McNeal: "It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to believe
that Falk will apply pressure on Clippers owner Donald
Sterling to select his player. So far, Bibby has worked out
for only one team: the Clippers" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/22).
MLB: In N.Y., ticket brokers say that fans are paying
up to $600 for seats to the soldout Yankees-Mets series that
begins Friday at Shea Stadium. Box seats, normally $21,
"are going for $250 to $600" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/23). Also
in N.Y., 53,316 attended last night's Braves-Yankees game at
Yankee Stadium (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/23)....Yesterday's
Expos-Blue Jays game at Skydome drew 33,132, up 4,156 from
the Blue Jays' season average, but down from the 37,430 who
attended last year's series opener (TORONTO SUN, 6/23).
NO MORE NAIMOLI? DON'T THINK OF IT: The Devil Rays
surpassed the one-million mark in attendance Friday and are
on pace to draw about 2.5 million. Devil Rays Managing
General Partner Vince Naimoli said that "2.8 would still be
marvelous" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/21). In Tampa, Tom
McEwen wrote that Naimoli has heard the "rumor" that he is
"on the way out," with part Owner Jack Critchfield "anointed
to succeed him." Naimoli called the rumor not true.
McEwen: "Vince Naimoli is not stepping aside, will not be
asked to leave" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/21)....The Devil Rays
introduced their new mascot, Raymond, on Sunday. In St.
Pete, Susan Aschoff wrote that "fans are still scratching
their baseball caps over just exactly what Raymond is. ...
Raymond is a 6-foot-6 inch mass of blue fur." Devil Rays
VP/PR Rick Vaughn: "We've stepped into a new era, and we're
very excited about it" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/22).
