In Minneapolis, La Velle Neal III notes some Twins fans were "not happy when the team threw in the towel" on the '18 season by trading five veteran players before trade deadline, and in response, Twins Exec VP & Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey "sent a letter" to season-ticket holders. Falvey wrote that a "difficult decision had to be made." Falvey: "With the support of ownership we completed five trades that netted us 12 players who will continue to our future. These players supplemented an already strong farm system, the lifeblood of a winning organization. While I believe deep in my heart that this was the right decision, I do not take it lightly that an investment in the future often comes with pain in the present" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/7).
AWAY FROM HOME? In Atlanta, Chris Vivlamore notes the Hawks are "expected to start" the '18-19 NBA season on the road with the "finishing touches being put on the extensive renovations to Philips Arena." The final portion of the three-phase, $192.5M major construction project at the arena, completed over two years, is "said to be on time and will be ready for the NBA season." The team will "play their exhibition home games at McCamish Pavilion on the campus of Georgia Tech." The Hawks also "began last season on the road as they started with a five-game trip" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/7).
BROTHERLY LOVE: Following the Eagles' extension of Exec VP/Football Operations Howie Roseman and coach Doug Pederson, team Owner Jeffrey Lurie, said that having a strong coach and GM is the "best way to win -- as long as they respect the borders of each other’s kingdom." In Philadelphia, Bob Ford notes the partnership between Roseman and Pederson "required each to meet in the middle." At least from the outside, the pair "appear satisfied to share the credit evenly and worry about what they can control within their own offices" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/7).
