In K.C., Sam Mellinger reports Royals season-ticket holders this week "received information about purchasing postseason tickets," and a lot of the "reaction has been frustration." MLB holds back about 8,500 seats "for the league, networks, national accounts and sponsors." These are "spread throughout the stadium, but particularly in a relatively small venue, the squeeze is harder." Kauffman Stadium’s official capacity is 37,903 seats, and "only four stadiums are smaller." Take away the 8,500 for MLB and sponsors, and "you’re left with fewer than 30,000 seats." The Royals "have about 12,500 season-ticket equivalents this year, and most of those are broken into smaller plans." With four 20-game plans "equaling one STE, you can see how fewer than 30,000 seats go very quickly" (K.C. STAR, 8/19).
IN THE STARS: In San Antonio, Roy Bragg writes the "cash-poor" Astros have had to become creative in fielding their roster, but that has "paid off in strange, winning ways." The Astros' payroll was as low as $29M in '11, but "has since risen" to $69M. Still, it is "the second lowest" in MLB, and "eight teams have payrolls that are twice as big." Astros 3B Luis Valbuena, DH Chris Carter and C Evan Gattis "added together" earn less than $9M, but "lead the team with a combined total of 56 homers so far" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/19).
FLY FISHING: In Miami, Barry Jackson reported the Marlins' plans to lease a custom-designed jet for away series are "off the table." The Marlins were "supposed to have that Boeing to start this season but retrofitting problems and other issues caused repeated delays and the Marlins decided not to lease the plane but instead continue with charter flights." One "prominent player has been complaining about this because players were looking forward to the extra large seats, couches and massage table" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/18).
LIVING LARGE: MLB.com's Richard Justice noted the league "is better when certain franchises" make the postseason, including the Yankees, Mets and Cubs. The Cubs currently hold the second Wild Card spot in the NL, and Justice said it is "pretty cool to see" what Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has done with the team. He said, "This is a magical time to be a Cubs fan. ... Theo Epstein has built an organization that’s built to last." Justice added, "Anybody would want to see playoff baseball at Wrigley Field because that’s pretty special” ("PTI," ESPN, 8/18).
