Some fans waited out the two-hour rain delay to see the Royals open their season on ThursdayGETTY IMAGES
In K.C., Sam McDowell reports the Royals will give a "free voucher toward a future game to fans who purchased tickets" for Opening Day after the start of Thursday's home opener against the White Sox was delayed by rain for two hours. Even fans who attended the game "will receive the voucher." Royals Senior VP/Business Operations Kevin Uhlich: "This is a thank you to our fans who waited out the weather to support us" (K.C. STAR, 3/29).
THIRSTY THURSDAY: In Toronto, Tony Wong reports the Blue Jays are selling "cheap beer" to help draw more fans to Rogers Centre this season, and the program at Thursday's season opener against the Tigers "seemed to be working just fine -- until the lines formed and the beer ran out at one stand." Some fans "complained they couldn't get their allocated two cans of $5 beer after lining up for as much as half an hour." Others were upset that "only a limited amount of concession stands were selling the cheap eats, causing massive lineups." Meanwhile, one stand "ran out of milk," while the credit card machines "at one point ... weren't working" (TORONTO STAR, 3/29).
THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE: Mets P Jacob deGrom pitched six shutout innings in a 2-0 season-opening win over the Nationals, and in N.Y., Bill Madden noted Mets Chair & CEO Fred Wilpon and COO Jeff Wilpon "had to think long and hard about doling out another long-term monster contract" before signing deGrom to his five-year extension worth $137.5M. However, they were "forced to make the leap," in part to establish the "credibility" of new Exec VP & GM Brodie Van Wagenen. The Wilpons also "had to know they were going to be buried by the media and once again branded as cheapskates of the highest order" if they did not re-sign deGrom (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/27).
HELP WHERE IT IS NEEDED: In St. Louis, Derrick Goold reported the Cardinals have had "internal discussions about ways to improve or change wages" for players in the minors, much like the Blue Jays did earlier this month. The Cards are currently one of several teams to "provide things at the ballpark that could reduce living expenses," including "two meals a day at the ballpark for minor-league players." The team also has "worked to reduce the cost of housing for minor-leaguers" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/27).
