Phoenix, Tampa Bay Get Expansion Nod

Phoenix and Tampa Bay were recommended for major league franchises by baseball’s expansion committee Tuesday night, The Associated Press learned.

Baseball officials didn’t announce the decision, but two members of the committee, speaking on the condition they not be identified, confirmed the choices.

The teams would start play in 1998 if owners approve the recommendation. The price is likely to be $140 million apiece and the teams are expected to be named the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

A vote could come as early as Thursday, and approval is expected whenever the vote takes place. Committee chairman John Harrington planned on briefing owners today.

“I will tell the full ownership group where we are on the sites,” he said without disclosing the recommendation.

The teams would become the 29th and 30th in the major leagues. Owners said it was possible the franchises wouldn’t be assigned to leagues until later.

If one team is added to both the American and National leagues, it would create two 15-team circuits and could necessitate the start of interleague play.

One group from Orlando, Fla., and two from northern Virginia also were seeking franchises. One source said the committee would not at this time recommend a team for the second wave of expansion, which is not expected until 2000.

“I don’t want this to sound trite, but it can’t get any worse,” Phoenix Sun President Jerry Colangelo, who leads the group from his area, said of baseball’s labor problems. “It can only get better. I think it’s bottomed out.”