In Cleveland, Paul Hoynes writes it “sounds as if the Progressive Field bullpen phones were in working order” for yesterday’s Yankees-Indians game. During Monday's home opener, the Yankees' bullpen phone “went dead.” This is the “first year teams can use specially designed cell phones to communicate between the dugout and bullpen as part of T-Mobile becoming the official wireless partner of MLB.” The system was “not in place” Monday (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/10).
GREEN SWANS: The GUARDIAN’s David Conn reported EPL club Swansea City announced a $24.5M (all figures U.S.) profit for the six-month period ending on Nov. 30, 2012, and “with it, for the first time, a dividend for the club’s shareholders” -- $1.5M for this and last season in the EPL. Swansea City Chair Huw Jenkins said that the $3.1M combined dividend “justly rewards the owners, mostly directors too, who have worked unpaid to steer a remarkable rebuilding, but it risks taking a little shine off Swansea’s halo” (GUARDIAN, 4/9).
CRANE OPERATOR: In Austin, Kirk Bohls cited sources as saying that MLB Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan and his sons, Reid and Reese, “could sell their interest" in the Triple-A PCL Round Rock Express “sooner than later because of Ryan’s demotion" from the Rangers and his sons' other interests. However, “nothing is imminent.” Astros Owner Jim Crane said that he would be “interested in acquiring” the Express for the Astros. Crane: “That’s a great spot for us. It’s a great market. It’s be something we’d be happy to look at. If my phone rang, we’d definitely be interested.” The Express’ contract with the Rangers runs through ’18 (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4/8). Crane also has been in talks to possibly acquire the PCL New Orleans Zephyrs and move the team to suburban Houston in '15.
HIGHWAY TO THE DANGER ZONE, MAYBE: The Rays “announced their first five concerts of the season, starting with Kenny Loggins on May 11 and highlighted by Carly Rae Jepsen.” Each concert is "free with the purchase of that date’s game ticket and will begin following the conclusion" of the game (TAMPABAY.com, 4/9).
