In S.F., Ann Killion writes Warriors GM Bob Myers after one year in the role has "become a well-respected member of the Bay Area sports hierarchy: refreshingly honest and open, and clearly skilled at his job." The Warriors now are "considered an appealing team, a team with a bright future, a franchise that free agents might want to join." Myers said that the organization has "heard from other players, general managers, owners, broadcasters: The Warriors are fun to watch play, the crowd is fantastic, the coaching staff seems to be getting the most out of its players" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/21).
RISING STAR: In Dallas, Mike Heika wrote the Stars "appear ready to start building with purpose and confidence." That is "probably one of the key reasons" GM Jim Nill "took the job." Nill has "experience in doing the things the Stars need done right now." He has "been in a room with the Detroit braintrust" of Red Wings Senior VP & Alternate Governor Jimmy Devellano, Exec VP & GM Ken Holland and former coach Scotty Bowman. He has "watched the process, interacted, made some of these decisions already -- if only as part of a committee." The "bottom line" is he is "ready for this." Stars President & CEO Jim Lites said, “I don’t think you get much better experience than Jim has had, with the people he has had" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/19).
BEAN DIP: In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted the Red Sox have "seen a decrease in attendance of 5,084 per game from last season." Only the Marlins (10,719), Phillies (7,486), and Brewers (5,385) have "suffered more at the gate." This is a "huge revenue loss," and the Red Sox "haven’t gone through this in about 10 years." However, team COO Sam Kennedy said that it "appears there will be better days ahead as the weather warms and the kids get out of school" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/19).
HE TALKS TO ANGELS: A's Owner Lew Wolff wrote in a letter to the L.A. TIMES regarding a May 12 column by the Times' T.J. Simers in which Simers was critical of Angels Owner Arte Moreno. Wolff wrote, "Arte Moreno is a solid, committed, and important Major League Baseball owner. He unhesitatingly risks his own resources to seek a World Series for his fans, his team and his family. His market and all of MLB is elevated by Arte" (L.A. TIMES, 5/18). Simers wrote he sees "a hint of humor" in Wolff's letter, as Wolff "wanted folks to know how much he regards" Moreno. Simers: "If I were competing with Moreno every year, I wouldn't want him going anywhere either" (L.A. TIMES, 5/19).
