In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck in a front-page piece writes the "biggest challenge" for the Orioles is "persuading fans to stick around" while the team's multiyear rebuilding process takes root. The Orioles have seen attendance decline in "each of the past four seasons," and it is already "apparent that a lot [of] fans are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward a rebuild." There is "no doubt" Camden Yards will be "hopping" for the team's home-opener today. Schmuck: "But it's what happens after the Yankees leave town Sunday that will demonstrate how much the Orioles fan base is willing to invest now" (BALTIMORE SUN, 4/4).
SWING AND A MISS: YAHOO SPORTS' Mark Townsend noted the Dodgers' plans to honor Baseball HOFer Tommy Lasorda with a bobblehead night later this season "have hit a bit of a snag." The issue is that the bobbleheads "have gone missing," or more accurately, they were "never delivered or even produced." The team is now suing promotions company Plan P2 Promotions after the Dodgers "claimed they submitted an order to have 42,000 Lasorda bobbleheads made and never received the product" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/3).
CURIOUS DEALINGS: In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes the Red Sox' "Kremlinesque erasure" of President & CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino from team history continues. The Red Sox press guide features a photo of Owner John Henry and Chair Tom Werner, which officially cites the duo's 18th season as "stewards of the Red Sox franchise," despite Lucchino "running the team for the first three championships of Henry's ownership" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/4).
