In Philadelphia, Keith Pompey wrote the 76ers "failed miserably in their quest to be innovators in athlete care," deciding to part ways with the heads of their athlete-care department. The team "did not renew the contracts" of VP/Athlete Care Dr. Daniel Medina and Dir of Performance Research & Development Dr. David Martin. Their tenure is "expected to expire at the end of the month." The two were hired to be "innovators in sports science and prevent injuries." However, the 76ers have had an "abundance of injuries the past several seasons." Eighteen different players "missed at least one game because of an injury or ailment" this past season (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/5).
WHO'S TO BLAME? In N.Y., Kevin Kernan wrote there is "plenty of blame to go around" for the Mets’ 28-32 record. Much of this Mets failure, though, "can be blamed" on Exec VP & GM Brodie Van Wagenen's "decisions over the winter in his first time out of the box as a GM after coming over from the ranks of player agent." For "Van Wagenen’s sake, the Mets need to turn it around quickly." Van Wagenen’s decisions have been "nearly universally dreadful" after 60 games. Kernan: "His overall decision to go for it was fine, no issue with that here." But the acquisition of 2B Robinson Cano from the Mariners is "looking terrible," and P Edwin Diaz has "had some rough times as well." The Mets and their owners, the Wilpons, "don’t spend big money." They "walk the financial tightrope" (N.Y. POST, 6/5).
CHEAP SEATS: In Tampa, Marc Topkin notes the Rays are "taking away one of the excuses for people not showing up to support their team, offering $5 tickets to each of the next five home games." The $5 tickets are "available via a Summer Special flash sale" from now until 11:59pm ET tomorrow, with "5,000 available for each game." Sales are "limited to eight tickets per game per person," and seating will "vary between the 100, 200 and party deck levels, with assignments made the day before the game via the MLB Ballpark app" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/5).
CALLING ALL SUPPORTERS: In Austin, Chris Bils noted MLS expansion club Austin FC will "begin accepting deposits for season tickets June 12." Those who "registered for updates received an email blast, and the home page of AustinFC.com changed to reveal a countdown and an FAQ page." Deposits for general seating and the supporter section will "cost $50 per account, while premium seating deposits will be $100 per account." Team representatives will "look to begin converting those deposits into season ticket memberships between this winter and the summer" of '20 (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/5).
