MLB: In Seattle, Larry Stone, on the Mariners' trading
P Randy Johnson to the Astros for three minor-leaguers:
"[U]ntil the Mariners give a proper explanation as to why
they couldn't get more for Johnson ... the perception will
remain that this was a botched operation, an 11th-hour panic
move" (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/2). Also in Seattle, Steve Kelley:
"It was the kind of trade that can get a general manager
fired. A trade made out of panic. A public relations
fiasco. ... [Mariners GM Woody] Woodward made the best trade
available, which was a horrible deal indeed" (SEATTLE TIMES,
8/2)....In St. Paul, Charley Walters reported that Carl
Pohlad's "price tag for the Twins" when they go on the local
market Monday" will be $120M (PIONEER PRESS, 8/2).
NOTES: The ABL's Chicago expansion team will be known
as the Chicago Condors (ABL). The logo, which depicts the
head of a condor in the colors black, red and silver, was
designed by San Jose graphic artist Terry Smith. Smith has
created logos for the ABL Lasers and StingRays, as well as
the NHL's Sharks. More than 4,000 contestants submitted
suggestions in a "Name Our Team" contest (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES,
8/1)....The Dolphins will charge $5 more this year for
single-game parking at Pro Player Stadium. At $20 a car,
"Pro Player's single-game fee is an NFL high," equal to what
the Ravens, Bears and 49ers charge (Fort Lauderdale SUN-
SENTINEL, 8/2)....In Boston, Will McDonough reported that
the Bruins' new ticket campaign included newspaper ads
featuring coach of the year Pat Burns and rookie of the year
Sergei Samsonov promoting a special advertising section on
the Bruins in Sunday's GLOBE. The Bruins "never have
mounted an aggressive ticket-selling campaign in the past"
(BOSTON GLOBE, 8/1). The souvenir insert featuring Burns
and Samsonov includes the Bruins' '98-99 schedule and the
tagline, "The winning is just beginning" (THE DAILY)....In
Minneapolis, Jay Weiner writes that with Gov. Arne Carlson
forming a task force to study the value of big-league teams
to the state, MN policy makers "must address the most
pressing reality" about pro sports: "We can't afford four
major-league teams. ... Sad to say, either the Twins or
Vikings might have to move on. ...[O]ne of them might have
to be sacrificed to save the other" (STAR TRIBUNE, 8/3).
