December 19, 2006 [LINK / comment]
No, not to celebrate a world championship, but to host the Texas Rangers in a three-game series, on May 15-17, at Disney's "Wide World of Sports" complex near Orlando. "The stadium was designed to hold approximately 9,500 fans, but it can be expanded to accommodate 13,000." See MLB.com. (Hat tip to Steven Poppe.) At last: real Florida sunshine! It's probably a good way for the D-Rays to expand their fan base, but I hope it doesn't lead to an identity crisis such as was suffered by the former Montreal Expos when they played many of their games in Puerto Rico in 2003 and 2004. This idea was broached earlier this month, but I didn't realize it might take place this coming year. Maybe they should be called the "Florida Devil Rays," and the other team further south should be called the "Miami Marlins." I wonder if anyone is considering replacing the current dome at Tropicana Field with a retractable roof?
There is a new set of artist's renderings of the future Washington Nationals' stadium at MLB.com. I like the cherry trees in the plaza beyond left field. Hat tip to "Mustang Danny."
It's good to see that the Blue Jays front office is committed to fielding a pennant-contending team, as Vernon Wells signed a seven-year contract extension with them for $126 million. See MLB.com.