Japanese May Buy Mariners

A Japanese billionaire is considering buying the Seattle Mariners, says American liaison Cappy Harada, who represents a group of Seattle residents who want to keep the team in their town.

“I am optimistic that if approached right, a deal can be struck,” said Harada, who was reached by telephone in Tokyo.

Harada said he had talked with Hiroshi Yamaguchi, managing director of the Seibu Corp. and top assistant to corporation chairman and billionaire Yoshiaki Tsutsumi.

“They asked me to get hold of the financial conditions,” Harada said.

He said he would return to Tokyo May 9 and at that time he would sit down with Tsutsumi to talk about a possible deal.

Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth has said he would like to see the Mariners bought by local investors. Japanese interests would be his second or third choice for the purchase of the team, he said.

Ueberroth has made it clear, however, that he wants the team to remain in Seattle.