In Seattle, Rick Morgan reported the Mariners this month submitted their annual plan for T-Mobile Park updates, with the club “looking to make 42 improvements worth” $24.3M total. The team will “submit a more concrete list of improvements in September.” The “biggest chunk of money” is $9M allocated to replacing the 57-by-202-foot centerfield scoreboard, known as MarinersVision. According to the proposal, the Mariners installed the scoreboard in 2013, and it has “a 12-year life cycle.” Other items in the proposal include $2.8M for access control, cameras and the security network, as well as a combined $3.5M to “replace certain elevators and escalators.” There is also $1M for concessions replacements (PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/15).
A FIRST STEP: In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy wrote Red Sox fans “should be heartened” that owner John Henry went to the trouble of flying to K.C. to meet with 3B Rafael Devers last weekend. Shaughnessy wrote they have “been waiting for signs that Henry cares about his baseball team the way he cared in his first decade of ownership.” Henry’s visit to K.C. “is a good sign, even if it’s just a case of Henry protecting the club should this dustup wind up with Devers ultimately filing a grievance through the Players Association” (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/16).
BACK TOGETHER AGAIN: In Milwaukee, JR Radcliffe noted the Brewers would be “welcoming back 25 players from the past 25 years of baseball” -- encompassing the Miller Park/American Family Field era -- for a July 25 celebration during the team’s game against the Marlins, with the “idea of featuring at least one player from every team since 2001.” Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger said that the idea is to “immerse the players in the game experience, from autograph signings to selling concessions to other in-game promotions.” Former players will be “running in the sausage race.” The Brewers intend the celebration “to serve as a thank-you for the fans whose tax dollars helped fund the ballpark’s construction and improvements over the years” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/15).
