In L.A., Bill Shaikin reported Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt yesterday "extended a vote of confidence" to GM Ned Colletti. The MLB All-Star Game "was abuzz with rumors that McCourt might soon fire Colletti and replace him" with one of the Dodgers' Assistant GMs, DeJon Watson or Logan White. But McCourt spokesperson Steve Sugerman in a statement said, "Any rumors about Ned being replaced are inaccurate, false and utterly unfounded. He has Frank's support" (LATIMES.com, 7/11).
SAN FRANCISCO TREAT: In S.F., Eric Young reports the Giants are "on pace to set an all-time franchise record for attendance of 3.38 million this year" at AT&T Park. At the current pace, the club "will break the previous attendance record of 3.26 million fans set in 2003." In addition, TV ratings for the defending World Series champions "are up sharply," and merchandise "continues to fly off the shelves." Sales of "everything from 'Fear the Beard' T-shirts to World Series banners to Tim Lincecum replica jerseys are up" about 15% over last season. Giants President & COO Larry Baer said, "This year on the business side revenue is very, very strong. The brand overall has never been stronger" (S.F. BUSINESS TIMES, 7/8 issue).
TURN THE BEAT AROUND: In Pittsburgh, Dejan Kovacevic notes the Pirates' average home crowd of 23,578 through the All-Star break is "up nearly 4,000 over last season," and PNC Park "has been sold out 10 times." Also, local TV ratings are up 32% to date. Agent Scott Boras said, "It's a benefit to everybody. You have a city that's basically reinvented itself." MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, "Watching PNC Park jammed game after game now, it's really wonderful. It's one of the season's great success stories. The Pirates and their fans went through a lot of travails, a lot of heartache, but it's finally starting to pay off" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/12).
