MLB: A record regular-season crowd is expected at the
Astrodome tonight for P Randy Johnson's Astros debut. The
Dome's record for a regular-season game is 51,526, set
earlier this season. The team had already sold 43,000
tickets as of Wednesday (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/7)....In K.C.,
Jason Whitlock backs the Hunt-Western Resources group as the
Royals' future owners: "I'm on Hunt's side because I don't
think the board has another viable option" (K.C. STAR, 8/7).
NFL: Former 49ers coach Bill Walsh denied reports that
he is a possible successor to Carmen Policy. Walsh: "I just
wanted to end any speculation about me and the 49ers. ...
I'm not going to be with them. I hope to be around whenever
I'm welcome. But no more speculation" (S.F. CHRONICLE,
8/7).....In St. Paul, Charley Walters writes that it still
appears former Rockets and T-Wolves exec John Thomas "will
end up in marketing with the Vikings" (PIONEER PRESS, 8/7).
NBA: In N.Y., Sam Walker writes that while NBA teams
went on a $250M "spending spree" over the past two years to
hire big-name coaches, "on average, the teams don't have
much to show for it." Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo: "The
commitment to coaches was getting outrageous. I think we're
going to see some high-priced coaches out of work" (WSJ,
8/7)....In Dallas, Tim Cowlishaw writes that Mavericks Owner
Ross Perot Jr. "should make himself available or at the very
least issue his own statement," regarding the alleged sexual
misconduct charges brought against team President Terdema
Ussery. Cowlishaw: "The Mavericks would like the story to
die, but these things never do" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/7).
