In Atlanta, Mark Bradley writes Braves Exec VP & GM Alex Anthopoulos "should be MLB's executive of the year." In an organization "brimming with gifted players and a solid manager, the GM is the MVP." While Anthopoulos "fell into the sport's best collection of young talent," his ability to "balance tomorrow and today has been masterful." In 22 months on the job, he has "sacrificed no prospect on track to become more than a serviceable big-leaguer." Even the extensions for RF Ronald Acuna and 2B Ozzie Albies were "frugal if not cheap" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/12).
TIME FOR A CHANGE: In Pittsburgh, Kevin Gorman wrote the Pirates organization "requires a housecleaning." A Monday altercation between Ps Kyle Crick and Felipe Vazquez that "led to Crick suffering a season-ending finger injury is a sign" that the Pirates "lack leadership." Meanwhile, the fan base has "gone from frustrated to disillusioned," which has "affected attendance at PNC Park." The Pirates are "on pace to draw fewer than an average of 20,000 a game and 1.5 million in total attendance for the second consecutive season" (TRIBLIVE.com, 9/11).
WHERE IS EVERYONE? In San Jose, Kerry Crowley notes the Giants "sold a season-low 26,627 tickets" for last night's home game against the Pirates. The team has 10 games left at Oracle Park this season, including "six in a pair of weekend series, so it's difficult to envision attendance dropping any lower" than last night's figure, the "fifth-lowest in ballpark history." The Giants have a "base of about 26,000 season-ticket holders, meaning the record low attendance at Oracle Park of 23,934" set in '09 "won't be in danger of falling until at least next year" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/12).
