Mariners Owner to Buy Padres

San Diego Padres owner Joan Kroc today accepted an offer from Newport Beach businessman George Argyros to buy the National League team, which was put up for sale last November for an asking price believed to be between $50 million and $60 million.

Argyros, who also owns the Seattle Mariners of the American League, announced in Seattle that he is putting the Mariners up for sale. Both leagues and baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth must approve the Padres sale, Padres spokesman Bill Beck said.