In Cleveland, Zack Meisel reported Progressive Field "will be packed to capacity on April 10 for the Indians' home opener," as the team yesterday morning "sold out its first game in 11 minutes." It "marks the 23rd consecutive Opening Day sellout for the Tribe and the 22nd in a row since the club moved from Municipal Stadium" (CLEVELAND.com, 3/3). The Indians this offseason removed several thousand seats as part of their ballpark renovation, which will "include the home and away bullpens stacked together beyond the center-field wall" (AP, 3/3).
WELCOME ABOARD: In Chicago, Ameet Sachdev notes the Cubs in their '15 media guide listed the team's "new limited partners" Andrew Berlin, William Comrie, the DeVos family and Cory Thabit. A fifth limited partner is listed "only as 'O.C., L.L.C.'" and a sixth partner "is not listed." The Ricketts family brought on the partners "to help pay" for the renovations to Wrigley Field (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/4).
ALTITUDE & ATTITUDE: In Denver, Patrick Saunders wrote it is "too soon to tell" if new Rockies GM Jeff Bridich will "make a big difference." Saunders: "Much to the chagrin of fans, the Rockies failed to make a big splash during the offseason, but I think Bridich has a reasonable game plan on how to make the Rockies better for the long term." He has "made some wise, albeit conservative moves." But the Rockies' "big-picture game plans have rarely yielded results and fans are sick and tired of excuses" (DENVERPOST.com, 3/3).
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: ESPN's David Lloyd reported Mets P Matt Harvey will make his season debut in the third game of the season, which is a "shrewd marketing move" by the team. Harvey is then scheduled to pitch the Mets' second home game, "boosting the gate which wouldn't be as necessary in the home opener" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/3).
