In Dallas, Evan Grant notes the Rangers are "investigating an incident of harassment toward a Hispanic family from Fort Worth that took place at Globe Life Park" on Saturday during Tigers-Rangers. A man "vocally complained about having Hispanic families sitting in front of and behind him" at the ballpark. The Rangers have "reached out to the family and said such harassment is a violation of the club's code of conduct for fans" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/6).
FRESHENING UP: In St. Louis, Derrick Goold notes the Cardinals this season have "quietly integrated a balanced, less irregular and sharp 'STL' logo in some of the team's branding." On some of the "new signage near the team’s clubhouse and at times on social media this season, there has been a smoother look to the Cardinals’ traditional interlocking 'STL' logo." It has "appeared as part of tweets and on" FS Midwest. The "subtly different logo" will be featured during an Aug. 21 promotion "on the side of the cap given out to purchasers of the Star Trek theme ticket." This is a "slow roll out, and if adopted it would see widespread use" in '20 (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/6).
CROSS COUNTRY GAMES: In DC, Sam Fortier notes the Nationals have "all but abandoned" their Triple-A affiliate in Fresno as a "legitimate place to keep fringe major league players whom they could need on short notice." Before the season, amid "widespread reshuffling of the Class AAA affiliates, the Nationals ended up with the Fresno Grizzlies." The team "made almost no geographic sense for any franchise," but the Mets had "bought the Nationals’ old affiliate in Syracuse." The Nationals "didn’t have much choice" and they "signed a two-year deal with Fresno." Nationals President of Baseball Operations & GM Mike Rizzo said, "It’s problematic to get somebody from Fresno there the next day and have them perform" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/6).
PUT A RING ON IT: In Houston, Matt Young notes all fans attending Tigers-Astros on Aug. 19 at Minute Maid Park "will receive a replica" of Baseball HOFer Craig Biggio's '05 NL championship ring, while fans at the Sept. 9 game against the A's will receive a replica of the Jeff Bagwell championship ring from the same season. The Astros had "huge success with ring giveaways last season." Average attendance on "ring giveaway nights last season was 42,538." Overall, the Astros "averaged 36,797 fans per game last season. So far this year, the Astros are averaging 35,207 fans per game (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/6).
