The 76ers on Thursday night tied the NBA record of 26 consecutive losses, but in Philadelphia, John Murrow noted fans "have still come out in bunches" to Wells Fargo Center. The team ranks 29th in attendance with an average of 13,651, down from 17th when they averaged 16,717 in '12-13. Only the Bucks, who "actually have a worse record, average a lower attendance, with 13,253." 76ers F Thaddeus Young said, "My hat goes out to each and every fan who comes out to the games and the fans who are still supporting us. I thank them for sticking with us, and we are going to try to turn things around for those fans" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/27).
METS EXPECT SELLOUT: On Long Island, Steven Marcus reports the Mets "expect to make it 16 straight sold-out home openers" when they start the '14 season against the Nationals on Monday. Mets Exec VP & Chief Revenue Officer Lou DePaoli said, "The game will definitely sell out. We are pacing significantly ahead of last year. As of right now, there are roughly less than a thousand seats available. We're going to be opening standing room only." The Mets last season "drew 2,135,657 fans to Citi Field," which is the team's lowest home attendance since '97 at Shea Stadium. DePaoli: "We're expecting attendance to go up slightly versus last year" (NEWSDAY, 3/28).
TALKING HEADS: In Chicago, Stacy St. Clair notes the White Sox have revealed the '14 character races at U.S. Cellular Field "will feature costumed characters representing the team’s radio and TV personalities." The dash "will be held every Sunday at the top of the seventh inning." The four "oversized, foam costumes bear striking resemblances" to Ken Harrelson, Steve Stone, Ed Farmer and Darrin Jackson. The "big-headed Hawk ... is sporting the announcer’s trademark sunglasses, while Stone’s likeness embraces the 1980 Cy Young winner’s fondness for sweater vests" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/28).
REID & RIGHT: U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday predicted that the Redskins "will change their name within three years." Reid said that he "was unimpressed by the Redskins’ new charitable endeavor for Native Americans, the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation." Reid said of Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder, "He’s going to throw a few blankets to the Indians and get a tax deduction for it. I can’t imagine why the man doesn’t realize that the name is going to change. It’s only a question of when it’s going to change. That’s the only question. ... And Snyder has to realize, he is on the losing side of history. And the sooner he does it, the better off we are" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/27).
