Baldwin: Current ballpark proposal won't work in Richmond
Posted April 15, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A proposal by the city of Richmond to build a replacement for The Diamond near the existing ballpark won't work because of its proximity to I-95, says Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) GM Bruce Baldwin, whose team is decamping for Gwinnett County next season. It would be possible for a long homer to make it on the freeway based on initial sketches, although a ballpark in that location surely would have nets installed to prevent that sort of thing. We don't see anything happening with a ballpark proposal in Richmond until the R-Braves formally release the territory and St. Pete can begin fielding applications for relocation. The plan for an 8,000-seat ballpark will more than likely be overkill for whatever team ends up with the Richmond territory, even if it's an Eastern League team like the Erie SeaWolves.

MECA approves ballpark deal; O-Royals lease not a sure thing
Posted April 14, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A new 24,000-seat ballpark for the College World Series is a step closer to reality after the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA) board today approved an agreement with the city of Omaha to manage and build the facility. The deal pretty much hews to the structure of what had been previously made public, though now the city must put up a little more in maintenance and debt reserves. The two sides plan on formally signing an agreement before presenting a final plan to the NCAA. We're not sure the financing plan is as solid as many believe: the $140 million budget calls for $59.4 million in private donations, and that's a big number to be raising when the country is in or on the verge of a recession. Also, it's not a given the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be a tenant: we've been reporting for weeks that the O-Royals would look elsewhere if the proposed ballpark lease were unacceptable (and apparently there's not a lot of flexibility in crafting a favorable lease: the MECA agreement specifically prohibits any "sweetheart deals"), and the Omaha World-Herald finally catches up with our reporting. Apparently PCL President Branch Rickey III has already weighed in against playing in the new ballpark because of its large size and potentially bad lease, and we know the O-Royals owners have talked fondly of markets like Vancouver and Tucson. One problem: Warren Buffett and Walter Scott still own a small chunk of the O-Royals, and they'd need to sign off on any move of the franchise. Currently the O-Royals pay $5,000 per year to play at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium and keep the concession money; we're guessing MECA is talking about charging the team a whole lot more than that.
    RELATED STORIES: Omaha, MECA reach agreement on new ballpark; NCAA on board; MECA, city break off talks on new Omaha ballpark; Letter: NCAA neutral on new Omaha ballpark; Parking issues at play at proposed Omaha ballpark; Rosenblatt defenders give Omaha mayor an earful; Omaha formally commits to 24,000-seat downtown ballpark; Should Omaha tell to NCAA to live with Johnny Rosenblatt?; Committee recommends new downtown Omaha ballpark; MECA formally opposes new ballpark on its land; Is Omaha ballpark plan falling apart?; O-Royals ready to bail on new downtown ballpark?; Downtown ballpark remains choice of Omaha officials, despite higher price tag; Nebraska Legislature enters Omaha ballpark fray; Lot C emerges as frontrunner for new Omaha ballpark site; Two sites emerge as frontrunners for new Omaha ballpark; Omaha ballpark panel picks architects to evaluate sites; Save Rosenblatt Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee; NCAA's feelers out for CWS sites; Omaha mayor's public pitch for ballpark begins; More options introduced for new home of College World Series; Skeptics of Omaha ballpark proposal look for return on funding; Public to have say on Omaha ballpark proposal; Omaha restaurant owners vow opposition to ballpark tax; Omaha mayor unveils $117-million ballpark plan; Rosenblatt group sends petitions to NCAA; Omaha and the CWS: City bids for 20-year deal; Omaha Royals support plan for new ballpark; NCAA ties College World Series to new ballpark; Today's video: Kevin Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium; Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium; New downtown Omaha ballpark would be near Qwest; Rosenblatt fans try to draft Costner; Rosenblatt demolition among Omaha ballpark suggestions; Royals president says two baseball facilities can work; Petition drive aims to save Rosenblatt; Could Indy someday be host for CWS?; New Omaha ballpark could feature other pastimes; Coaches reminisce as talk turns to proposed downtown ballpark; Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt; Omaha wants at least 10-year CWS extension before ballpark work; Mayor: NCAA shows interest in new Omaha ballpark; Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals

Ballpark Visit: NYSEG Stadium, Binghamton Mets
Posted April 14, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
NYSEG Stadium, the home of the Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League), may not be the flashiest facility in the minors, but may be the most family-friendly facility we've run across in a long time. It's a ballpark where kids can run the bases in the middle of the fifth and it's a ballpark where dollar hot dogs are available every night of the week. With a host of attractions geared toward kids -- like the giant mascot inflatable shown to the right-- NYSEG Stadium is a place where families of all sorts can go out and have a safe, affordable time. Read our full account here. UPDATE: We love our readers! We were wrong, wrong, wrong about NYSEG Stadium being the only place to buy spiedies in pro baseball. The Tri-City ValleyCats (short season; NY-Penn League) not only offer Lupo’s Spiedies at the Buddy’s Barbeque area of Joe Bruno Stadium, they have a mascot, Spiedie the Chicken, who throws sandwiches out to the crowd while riding a Vespa. Nice. We will be seeing Spiedie in action when we visit Bruno Stadium for the NY-Penn League All-Star Game this August. Thanks to Vic Christopher of the ValleyCats for the information.

Knights shopping naming rights to new ballpark
Posted April 14, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Charlotte Knights are selling the present and the future: In addition to promoting this season at Knights Stadium, the team is also shopping naming rights for a new Uptown Charlotte ballpark. Private Sports Consulting has worked with the team on a plan to sell the rights for between $500,000 to $1 million annually. That's a little on the high end, but not unreasonable for a city the size of Charlotte: the team's profile should dramatically rise in a new ballpark, which may open as early as next season (though we're growing more and more skeptical about the team meeting that deadline).
    RELATED STORIES: Judge rejects restraining order against new Knights ballpark; Reese: Charlotte is missing out with new Knights ballpark; Reese still believes in big-league ballpark for Charlotte; Reese files suit against Knights ballpark project; county may countersue; Study: local business will buy into Knights ballpark plan; Mecklenburg County approves new Charlotte ballpark; Reese offers to settle lawsuits over new Knights ballpark; Vote on new Charlotte ballpark delayed; Mecklenburg County approves land swap for new Knights ballpark; With lease deal close, Knights ready ballpark plans; Appeal filed in Charlotte land-swap case; Charlotte ballpark lawsuit tossed; Council action aids Charlotte baseball deal; Knights say downtown site squeeze is OK; Much up in air with uptown baseball plans; County waves Knights toward uptown; County details Knights ballpark numbers; Knights now pushing to get ballpark in play by 2009; Charlotte approves Knights ballpark deal; Knights in talks on financing new ballpark; Schools agree to role in land swap for baseball; County moves forward on Knights ballpark plan; A new season for Knights, but same old battles; More time wanted for Charlotte baseball deal; Officials: Arts sale not about sports; Ballpark land swap still in play for reshaping Charlotte; Could new Charlotte ballpark be delayed by lawsuit?; Land deal for Charlotte ballpark advances; Diehl plans fight over Charlotte ballpark; Mecklenburg County set for baseball deal role; Charlotte Council seeks answers on baseball; Uptown park for Knights makes sense; Charlotte council gets update on baseball plan; Chamber: poll shows overwhelming support for Knights ballpark; Backers urge: Make noise for Charlotte ballpark; A slow curve in Charlotte; Charlotte ballpark land swap seen as feasible; Charlotte Knights select Barton Malow to oversee ballpark construction; Hard days for Knights; Knights see more fans, but lag league; Knights select Odell Associates, HOK to design new ballpark; Knights meet with potential architects; Competing plans for baseball parks in Charlotte; The big pitch for uptown baseball in Charlotte; Charlotte turns to funding plans for ballpark; Will Charlotte ballpark be magnet for growth?; Third Ward residents object to new Knights ballpark; Uptown baseball in Charlotte may cost city $5 million; Charlotte ballpark plan now turns to question of real estate; Arts package heads the agenda for city funding, but baseball is now up to bat with a new plan; Uptown ballpark plan has some rally-killers; Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark

It's official: Nationals Park is LEED certified
Posted April 14, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
So many people were discussing this as a foregone conclusion we were a little worried it might not happen. Nationals Park, the new home of the Washington Nationals, is the first major-league facility to be LEED-certified. LEED is a point-based system where projects earn points for satisfying specific green building criteria. This project incorporated enough green design elements, such as water conservation, using efficient field lighting, adding a green roof and incorporating recycling at the ballpark, to qualify it for a higher level of certification. (Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, also the home of the State College Spikes, was the first ballpark to be LEED-certified.)
    RELATED STORIES: Nationals launch new era with opening of ballpark; Early reviews on new Nats ballpark: mixed; Nats unveil new ballpark with test run; Doubts linger over Nats; Feds deny use of key parking garage to Nats fans; Crews pick up pace to renovate Metro station; Nationals ready for opening of new ballpark; Land acquisitions push up price of new Nats ballpark; Parking to be limited near new Nats ballpark; Nationals to open regular season at home on March 30; DC ballpark neighbors fear fan inundation; PNC Bank buys naming rights for Nationals' seats; Nats to open new ballpark March 29; Photo tour of new Nats ballpark; Nationals make effort to address parking woes at new ballpark; On deck: Playing field for new Nats ballpark; Goals unmet on ballpark construction jobs for D.C. workers; RFK is full of concrete memories; Nationals choose Centerplate to manage concessions at new ballpark; Lessons for the Lerners: what to steal from other ballparks; Nats ballpark to have extensive seating for wheelchairs; Metro, District and Nationals talking possible 'ballpark fare'; Signing off on the last beam; Top price for ducats at new Nats ballpark: $400; Nationals' transition extends off field; National crisis: Capital franchise in turmoil; Ballpark brings hope but no guarantee; Nationals ballpark 'on time, on budget' for 2008 opening; Future distinctly on rise for Nationals; District not over park cap; New Nats ballpark to feature cherry blossoms beyond left-field fence; As ballpark rises, battles over land continue; For Nats' home, a rapid ascent; Nats ballpark cost tops cap, council members say; Nats owners to pay $20 million for ballpark upgrades; With new Nats ballpark, name of the game is money; D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages; The D.C. ballpark parking debate; Severe penalties await city if parking garages aren't provided, Gandhi warns; Ballpark garages proposal rejected; Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight over new Nats ballpark; New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for 2008 opening; Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC ballpark; Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking; DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in country; Legislation would revive condo and garage development at new DC ballpark; New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking; D.C. parking issue threatens budget; Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat; Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk

Thunder mark 15th anniversary of Waterfront Park
Posted April 14, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) has been one of the most successful franchises in pro baseball, and the team marks the 15th anniversary of Waterfront Park this summer. It's an amazing story: Trenton may not be one of the economic hot spots of the country, but the Thunder regularly draw over 400,000 a season and should welcome their six-millionth fan this season.

Curses, foiled again! Attempt to hex Bombers fails when jersey is uncovered
Posted April 14, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
An attempt by a Red Sox-loving construction worker at the new Yankee Stadium to place a curse on the Bronx Bombers failed when workers uncovered a David Ortiz jersey buried in the ballpark. Construction worker Gino Castignoli, a Red Sox fan who helped lay cement at the new ballpark as a day worker, surreptitiously hid the jersey under a service entrance behind home plate, and then bragged to the New York Post about his deed. (Apparently his thinking was the burying of the Ortiz jersey would put a curse on the Yankees similar to the Curse of the Bambino.) That didn't sit too well with other Yankee Stadium construction workers, who deduced where Castignoli laid the jersey and asked to look for it. Sure enough, they found the Ortiz jersey. Now, if you're going to go to the trouble of sneaking a Red Sox jersey into a Yankee Stadium construction site, you probably should be smart enough not to brag about it until it's too late to dig up the jersey.
    RELATED STORIES: Plans in place to raze Yankee Stadium; Updated cost of new Yankee Stadium: $1.3 billion; Activists decry development plans around Yankee Stadium; New Yankee Stadium goes up, but Bronx still seeks benefits; Yankee Stadium parking fees to double by 2010; For Yankees, the numbers game goes on; Taxpayers footing bill for Yankees' lavish spending, group says; Sponsorships available -- inside the ballpark, that is; Approach of winter a big factor in NYC ballpark race; Finales set for Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium; Progress report: New York's new ballparks; The stadium chase; Yankees, Mets won't sell seat licenses; ballpark funds in place; Whole new ballgame; Yankees, Mets bond sales set, both teams rated junk; Bronx group goes to court vs. new Yankee Stadium; New York City receives IRS approval on ballpark bonds; New York Agency approves ballpark financing for Yankees, Mets; MTA pressed to create shortcut to Shea; Is Steinbrenner house, which Ruth built, poor?; NY City Council easily passes Yankees, Mets ballpark bonding bills; Squeeze play on Mets ballpark; Mets: Forget about naming new park after Jackie Robinson; New Mets ballpark deal is stalled; Squeeze play on the Mets; Strike one for new Mets ballpark; Mets park's name will fetch millions; Mets unveil plans for new ballpark; Yankees, Mets closer to new ballparks; City goes to bat for Yankees, Mets ballparks; State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets ballparks

Public: We want new Rays ballpark
Posted April 11, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We're not sure this is true of the general St. Petersburg population, but during a City Council hearing on a proposed new $450-million waterfront ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays on the Al Lang Field site supporters outnumbered opponents as the topic was open for discussion. The issue for opponents: they feel Tropicana Field is an adequate facility and they don't want to see the Al Lang Field waterfront site marred by a large, new ballpark. In addition, opponents say the finances of the new ballpark aren't clear enough; that's probably true, but we're guessing there are a host of details not yet released to the public. In addition, a group of 115 business owners signed a petition supporting the new ballpark as well. In the long run, this hearing probably won't mean a whole lot: the city will make a recommendation on whether to move ahead by April 23, and three City Council votes -- as well as a probable November referendum -- are needed before the proposal goes forward.
    RELATED STORIES: Public responds to Rays' ballpark proposal; Rays sweeten pot for new ballpark with additional upfront money; Opposition to new Rays ballpark growing?; St. Pete newspaper: errors plague Rays ballpark debate; Proposal for Al Lang park land conversion tabled for Rays ballpark plans; City lays out vision for Tropicana Field site; So, let's say the Trop's for sale....; Opponents say Rays, manatees don't mix; Rays will not seek state aid for new ballpark; Rays brass willing to be stakeholders in Trop site; It's outta here! But what's next?; Parking for proposed Rays ballpark an issue; Key player in Rays ballpark proposal won't show his hand; Rays' land request for ballpark may be hard to fill; Rays unveil plans for new ballpark; Rays: New ballpark could pump $1 billion into local economy; Rays ballpark plan kept secret for months; Land under the Trop is a developer's dream; Tampa Bay ballpark cost looms as curveball; Rays on the bay?

Ballpark Visit: Arvest Ballpark, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Posted April 11, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Last night saw the opening of Arvest Ballpark, the new home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League). There's still an unfinished feel to the ballpark, but it's not that the Naturals were behind in making sure things worked -- they did, perhaps a little smoother than the average ballpark opening -- but there's an unsettled quality to the area, and we're guessing the ultimate feel of the ballpark will be shaped by what happens in the area. While Arvest Ballpark is certainly worth a visit today -- it's a sleek, modern facility currently somewhat at odds with the surrounding farms -- we're excited to watch how the facility evolves with the rest of the Springdale community. Read our full account here. 

Do Marlins have enough votes to finalize ballpark deal?
Posted April 9, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It appears there's a chance the Florida Marlins may come up short in their quest for a new ballpark on the Orange Bowl site, as a key member of the Miami-Dade County commission insists there are not enough votes for final passage. Joe Martinez, an opponent of public funding of a new Marlins ballpark from the get-go, says the team lacks nine votes for passage of two critical agreements slated for passage in July. There are 13 members of the commission, and nine votes are needed for passage. So far there are three solid votes against the ballpark -- with Martinez joined by Javier Souto and Carlos Gimenez -- and a fourth member, Katy Sorenson, saying she'll now oppose the ballpark after initially voting for it. Now, a lot can change between July and now, and Martinez's opposition to the ballpark (which he makes clear pretty much every chance he gets_ may be clouding his powers of prediction, given that solid progress is being made on other terms of the ballpark deal, including how police staffing will be allocated. Still, there's probably enough here for ballpark advocates and Marlins officials to take notice. More from Miami Today.
    RELATED STORIES: Dispute over spoils could derail new Fish pond; Fish fans: Will new ballpark lead to better team?; Will fans flock to new Fish pond?; City, county approves Marlins ballpark deal; Marlins ballpark inches closer to fruition; deal could be done by Thursday; Marlins ballpark plan hits parking snag; More specifics revealed on new Marlins ballpark proposal; Miami mayor swings for the fences with ballpark plan; Vote on new Marlins ballpark delayed; Braman makes pitch against new Fish pond; Marlins to seek state aid for new ballpark; New ballpark could be suite deal for commissioners; Plan for Marlins ballpark gets support from Miami-Dade; Marlins funding closer to reality; Marlins' ballpark plan gets new life; New Marlins ballpark funding plan proposed; Marlins: Ballpark woes led to trade; Marlins ballpark negotiations continue; Marlins' share key to ballpark deal; DuPuy: Marlins ballpark top priority; Ho hum: Marlins hand county yet another ballpark deadline; Marlins may get $50 million for new ballpark; DuPuy meets with Crist about new Fish ballpark, says MLB will make use of Dodgertown; Marlins about to bring ballpark deal in from the bullpen; Selig receptive to Orange Bowl site for new Marlins ballpark; UM exit from Orange Bowl paves way for new Marlins ballpark; Selig: Relocation an option if ballpark issue not settled; University of Miami might leave Orange Bowl by '08; Is there room for Marlins in South Florida?; Moss to seek changes in Marlins' name, spring training; Marlins' reaction to no state funding of ballpark: muted; State funding for Marlins ballpark dies when session ends; Senate leader: no deal with slots, Marlins ballpark; Slots, Marlins ballpark financing in tax-bill mix; Vote on Marlins ballpark financing again comes late in legislative session; New Marlins ballpark bill likely to strike out; State House endorses $60 million for Marlins ballpark in Miami; Marlins' pitch for ballpark cash apt to fall short; Dade lawmaker unsure about Marlins subsidy

Chicago attorney buys RailCats
Posted April 9, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Patrick Salvi, a Chicago-area personal-injury attorney, is buying the Gary-SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern League) from Southshore Baseball LLC. The team's been on the market since 2006 -- with an original asking price of $6 million -- so we assume Salvi got a pretty good deal on the purchase price (which was not disclosed, though we heard the price from several sources since the original posting the sales price was between $3 million and $3.5 million). To say Salvi has a huge job to do in Gary is an understatement. Financially, we hear the team's most profitable year was its first year of operation when the RailCats were a travel team and subsidized by the city because the ballpark was not finished. Still, there are some good people working in the RailCats front office, so we're hoping Salvi keeps faith in the likes of VP/GM Bill Terlecky.  But the economics of the Northern League are still a little wacky -- even with the circuit losing the Calgary and Edmonton teams -- and it will take a sharp business acumen to make things work in Gary. After signing a new lease for US Steel Yard yesterday, Salvi will be meeting with the press today at a noon press conference.

Goodyear approves Reds spring deal
Posted April 8, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In a move predicted here, the Goodyear (Az.) City Council approved spending $33 million on an new clubhouse and training facilities for the Cincinnati Reds at a complex to be shared by the Cleveland Indians.  A proposal that was receiving mixed support was pushed over the edge -- the final vote was 6-0 -- when the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority agreed it will contribute to the project if possible in future years. The commitment is less than firm, as the AzSTA doesn't really have any money at the present time, but the intention stated by AzSTA officials is that the agency will pay for two-thirds of the $33-million expansion price tag, with the city picking up the rest. The Reds will sign a 20-year lease and shoot for a 2010 move from Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium. For Ohio baseball fans, a spring-training facility shared by the Reds and Indians should be a dream come true, but it also presents some challenges for spring-training coordinators, who are already expressing concern at scheduling with odd number of teams in Florida and Arizona.
    Obviously there will be ripple effects from this. This frees Ed Smith Stadium for the Baltimore Orioles, who are looking at a spring move to Sarasota -- and Vero Beach's Dodgertown -- if expansion plans for Fort Lauderdale Stadium fall through. With a move to Arizona, we're guessing the Reds won't be leasing the Sarasota Reds (High Class A; Florida State League) and will instead be looking for a High Class A California League affiliate (remember, the move to Arizona will also affect extended spring training and rookie-level teams as well).
    RELATED STORIES: Goodyear to consider hotel-tax hike to pay for ballpark expansion; Goodyear officials: Reds spring move not a done deal; Reds close to striking deal for Arizona move; Deadline approaching on Goodyear pitch to Reds; Sarasota County offers $17.6 million toward Ed Smith Stadium renovation; New Arizona spring-training venues on schedule; Reds eye move west; Sarasota delays decision on Ed Smith Stadium improvements; Reds ask about Lee County as possible spring-training home; Sarasota to woo Reds; Reds exploring spring move to Arizona; Orioles on their way to Dodgertown?; Community must face up to future of Ed Smith Stadium; New Dodgers/ChiSox training facility still up in the air

Solomon closes on purchase of Catfish
Posted April 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Art Solomon, the owner of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), has closed on a purchase of the Columbus Catfish (Low Class A; Sally League) from Main Street Baseball. He'll be in control of the team immediately. Ken Clary, GM of the Catfish, will be staying with the team; we expect he'll join other Solomon employees in working on a plan to move the team to Bowling Green, where Solomon has pledged a team if the city goes ahead with a new ballpark.

Could Cubs sale go into 2009?
Posted April 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Could the sale of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field stretch into 2009? That's the buzz we've heard from folks connected with groups bidding for the team, as owner Sam Zell is in such a financial straitjacket he's desperate to squeeze as much revenue out of the sale as possible -- and some of the important players in the process, like the city of Chicago, are refusing to play. Here's the ideal situation as mapped out by Zell: 1) the proceeds of a naming-rights sale to Wrigley Field for $400 million or so are pocketed by Zell; 2) Wrigley Field is sold to a state agency already running US Cellular Field (which would theoretically pay more for the Friendly Confines because it could float bonds at a lower rate than the private market, which has always struck us as a specious argument); and 3) the Cubs and a share of a Chicago-area sports cable network would be sold. Now, given the economy, step #1 is iffy, and so far Chicago city officials have been unwilling to accept the conditions (like relaxing the preservation rules applying to the ballpark) that would facilitate step #2 -- and you can't ignore the reality that many state leaders see a state purchase of Wrigley Field as a waste of money. Finally, the potential buyers we've been in contact with weren't thrilled with the purchase of a team that didn't include Wrigley Field or the potential revenue gains from a limited naming-rights sale, so steps #1 and #2 dampens the potential profits from #3. When the sales process first began, we predicted the combination of the Cubs, Wrigley Field and the cable-network share could generate a billion dollars from a single buyer, and we still think it could, but given the woes in the credit markets, any buyer would need to bring some serious ching to the table -- and none of the Cubs buyers have a billion dollars sitting around. The one thing that could hasten a sale: Tribune Co. owner Sam Zell is in bad, bad financial shape (to the point where experts say he may default on his purchase of the Tribune Co.) and may need to cut a lesser deal to pay off debt. The blood is in the water, however, and that means everyone will be trying to squeeze Zell, who's generated little goodwill among the potential buyers and MLB.
    RELATED STORIES: Preservationist group comes out against state takeover of Wrigley Field; Cubs selling naming rights; Wrigley name will stay; Cubs would share the Cell if Wrigley is remodeled; Daley not sold on sale of Wrigley Field; The rape and pillage of Wrigley Field; Why Wrigley Field should retain landmark status; Tunney: Tribune Co. playing hardball with city; State: City must relax Wrigley Field landmark status if sold by Cubs; Zell's insistence on selling Cubs, park separately slowing sale; Cubs: Wrigley should pay for Wrigley Field naming rights; Cubs sale probably won't happen until after end of season; Tunney wary of Wrigley deal; Daley now open to idea of state ownership of Wrigley Field; Selling Cubbies priority for new owner; Trib closes buyout; sale of Cubs, Wrigley Field to follow; Wringing cash from Wrigley Field; Cubs, state confirm preliminary Wrigley talks; State looks to buy Wrigley Field