Enron Might Want to Keep Name on Field
Enron Corp. asked a New York judge overseeing its bankruptcy case for more time to decide whether to honor its naming rights agreement with the Houston Astros for Enron Field.
The bankrupt former energy giant has a 30-year, $100-million rights’ agreement with the Astros.
In a motion filed this month, the Astros said they wanted to be let out of their 1999 agreement because the team has been materially and adversely affected by the negative publicity surrounding the company’s bankruptcy.
“The naming rights agreement does not contain any provision that would allow [the Astros] to terminate the contract based upon the current controversies surrounding Enron’s financial affairs,” Enron said Tuesday in its objection to the Astros’ motion.
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B.J. Surhoff said if he’s not in the Atlanta Braves’ starting lineup, he would rather play elsewhere.
Surhoff, 37, was Atlanta’s starting left fielder last season. He lost that job when the Braves signed free agent third baseman Vinny Castilla and traded for Gary Sheffield during the off-season.
Chipper Jones is moving from third base to left field. Sheffield takes over in right and Andruw Jones is a fixture in center.
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Baseball owners have agreed to rehire five of the 22 umpires who lost their jobs in a failed mass resignation three years ago and to allow four more of the umps to retire with back pay and benefits.
The agreement is likely to be announced today, after the baseball official in charge of umpires meets with the five and decides they are physically fit to resume umpiring, several baseball officials familiar with the deal said on the condition they not be identified.
Gary Darling, Bill Hohn, Larry Poncino, Larry Vanover and Joe West will rejoin the major league staff. Drew Coble, Greg Kosc, Frank Pulli and Terry Tata will retire.
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John Henry’s ownership group could take control of the Boston Red Sox today.... Baseball negotiations resumed with owners saying they want to make the amateur draft international and withhold pay of suspended players.... New York Yankee outfielder Rondell White strained his left rib cage swinging a bat. Manager Joe Torre said White could miss 10 days or more.... The Kansas City Royals said outfielder Mark Quinn probably will open the season on the disabled list because of a cracked rib that will sideline him for four to six weeks.... Wade Miller, who had a breakout 16-8 season with the Houston Astros last year, was picked to start the team’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 2.
