In Houston, Jerome Solomon notes Astros fans are "slowly returning" to Minute Maid Park this season as the team sits in second in the AL West. There was a sellout Saturday night against the Rangers, marking the "first time" since '09 that the Astros have "had three full houses in a season." It "helped that the opponent was the Rangers, who are a nice draw, but it helps more that the Astros are competitive and appear to be capable of staying in the division and certainly the wild-card race throughout the summer" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/20).
OF MONSTERS & MEN: In Boston, Nick Cafardo reported there is a "buzz in the ownership/management community" of the Red Sox that Chair Tom Werner "could be more involved in the daily running of the team," with President & CEO Larry Lucchino being less involved. Werner is "being viewed in a more influential role both with the team and in baseball overall." His pace-of-play ideas "have worked out well" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/19).
ANCHORS AWAY: In Seattle, Larry Stone wrote this season "might be the most disappointing yet for the Mariners" in the Safeco Field era. This season was supposed be Exec VP & GM Jack Zduriencik’s "valedictory, his vindication for the growing pains of a slow build." But the team's youth movement he "was to have masterminded has been mostly a mirage" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/19).
HE BACKS THE LAX: Rexall Place operator Northlands President & CEO Tim Reid said that he will "work to get" a new NLL franchise after the Edmonton Rush's "all-but-done run" to Saskatoon. Reid said, "Our desire is very much to maintain an NLL franchise in Edmonton." In Edmonton, Curtis Stock noted the Rush won the '15 title, but were second-to-last in the nine-team league in attendance with an average of 6,578 (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 7/19). Also in Edmonton, Gerry Moddejonge noted it is the "fourth stop for the nomadic franchise" (EDMONTON SUN, 7/17).
