The AP's Ronald Blum, citing a copy of the Braves' preliminary '17 schedule, notes the team is "scheduled to open" SunTrust Park on April 13 against the Padres. The '17 schedule "has the Braves opening the season with a three-game series" in N.Y. against the Mets on April 3, then going to Pittsburgh for a three-game series with the Pirates. The Braves also have a two-game series at the Marlins "before heading home for the Thursday opener against the Padres, the start of a four-game series." Teams opening new ballparks "often host exhibition games at the new stadiums before opening day, and it is possible the Braves could schedule some at SunTrust ahead of the regular season" (AP, 6/30).
DEAL BREAKERS: In Detroit, Tony Paul notes Tigers fans "can purchase a package that includes the entire July home slate for $49 plus a processing fee of $7, bringing the total to $56." Because of the four-day All-Star break, the Tigers "only will play nine games at home all next month." The latest deal comes after the Tigers "held a one-day 'flash sale,' selling $6.01 mezzanine tickets last month." The Tigers have "been a top-10 attendance team each of the previous four seasons, but entered" yesterday's game "ranked 14th among all 30 major-league teams, the Tigers' lowest rank since they were 15th" in '10 (DETROIT NEWS, 6/30).
LONG LIVE THE CHAMPS: NEWSDAY notes the Yankees "will hold various activities during the month of August to honor the beginning of their late 1990s dynasty, including an on-field reunion, promotional giveaways and Mariano Rivera’s Monument Park plaque dedication." The festivities "begin Friday Aug. 12" against the Rays. The "first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive" a '96 World Series replica trophy. The next day, members of the '96 World Series championship team "will reunite in a pre-game ceremony." The weekend "wraps up on Sunday, Aug. 14, with Rivera’s Monument Park plaque dedication ceremony at noon" (NEWSDAY, 6/30).
TALK OF THE TOWN: In N. Y., Bob Raissman wrote the Mets bringing back SS Jose Reyes after a domestic violence arrest "takes this show to a dark and dangerous side." While his on-field value to the Mets has yet to be determined, there "can be no doubting Reyes will add to the drama surrounding this team." But he will also be an “'attraction' who generates ticket sales and juices SNY’s Mets ratings." Before he has even put on the Mets uniform, Reyes, "for all the wrong reasons, is the talk of this town" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/28).
