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Dispatch

CLIPPERS
Mets seem the best bet to replace Yankees here

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Craig Merz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




As word passed through the Yankees clubhouse Thursday afternoon that New York and Columbus were parting after 28 seasons, a look of shock enveloped many former Clippers.
"No way. Wow," pitcher Scott Proctor said. Relievers T.J. Beam and Jeff Karstens were equally stunned but quickly regained their senses to start the guessing game as to where the Yankees? triple-A affiliate will go and which team will fill the void in Columbus for the 2007 International League season.
Bringing them, and everyone else, up to speed: Columbus, New Orleans, Norfolk and Scranton are guaranteed teams. An official with the New York Mets who did not want to be identified said last night that the club is interested in Columbus.
The Yankees have left Columbus and are believed to be interested in Scranton, Pa. That location became available when the Philadelphia Phillies left for Ottawa, Ontario, but with plans to relocate the franchise to Allentown, Pa., in 2008. Ottawa was available because the Baltimore Orioles pulled out for parts unknown. Also, the New York Mets are pulling out of Norfolk, Va., and the Washington Nationals want out of New Orleans.
The process of officially courting a new affiliate begins today and runs through Sept. 30.
President and general manager Ken Schnacke said the Clippers would sign only a two-year agreement ? coinciding when agreements between the Reds and Indians and their triple-A cities expire in 2008 ? and if that limits their options, so be it.
"It could be a hindrance as to particular choices one, two, or three," he said. "We want to see how the partnership goes and not be tied down too far in the future. A two-year deal is more important than who we might get."
Longtime fan Don Martin said he is willing to live with what he called the "rent-ateam" approach as long as the Clippers are competitive.
"I became a Yankees fan because of the Clippers, but I?m a baseball fan first," he said.
The Yankees? decision has created the biggest buzz in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa., area. Although team officials knew before the season that the Phillies would pull out, the thought of the Yankees, who play some 120 miles to the east, as a replacement left many fans giddy. The Times-Leader of Scranton reported a deal is all but done.
"I?m very disappointed the Yankees are leaving, but I?ll still go to the (Clippers) games," said season ticket-holder Austin "Gene" Taylor, who has been attending games in Columbus since 1948. "I?ve seen them all ? the Red Birds, the Jets, the Clippers," he said of earlier affiliations with St. Louis and Pittsburgh.
Pete Stevens said he never imagined the Yankees leaving Columbus.
"It?s been so long. You get so used to Yankees-Clippers that you thought it would go on ad infinitum," he said. "I am excited, though, about the possibility of the Reds or Indians (farm team) here. I?d love to see the Tribe."
The Yankees likely desire a triple-A team closer to New York, but Ballpark Digest reported that the Yankees also like that Scranton might sign Mandalay Sports Entertainment to operate the team. Mandalay is already running the Yankees? club in Staten Island, N.Y.
The facilities can?t be discounted. Cooper Stadium is considered the worst in the International League, although a ballpark in the Arena District is planned to open in 2008 or ?09. The Red Barons? Lackawanna County Stadium is 17 years old, but a $3 million renovation was done to the home clubhouse this year and the team is willing to replace the artificial turf with grass if requested.
Taylor, who sits by the Clippers? dugout along first base, blames Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, a former Columbus resident who still has ties to the community.
"Steinbrenner pulled the rug out on us," he said.
cmerz@dispatch.com