Astros Field Is Now Minute Maid Park

Punctuated by fireworks and a locomotive steaming across its outfield track carrying oranges, Houston Astro owner Drayton McLane on Wednesday renamed the Astros’ stadium Minute Maid Park.

The Minute Maid Co. is based in Houston and since 1960 has been a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Co.

“They are a very stable company and this was a big part of our decision,” McLane said. “They have the values and commitment to the public but they also have great financial security.”

McLane said the deal was for 28 years for a price exceeding $100 million.

The Astros’ stadium opened in 2000 as Enron Field, but McLane bought out the 30-year, $100-million naming rights deal in February and quickly removed hundreds of signs bearing the failed energy trading giant’s name.

Since buying out Enron, the stadium had been called Astros Field.

*

The New York Yankees addressed their production problem in right field from within the organization, calling up Juan Rivera from triple-A Columbus and giving him the starting job that had been shared by Shane Spencer and John Vander Wal.

“It’s early in the season. We’ll see what happens,” Manager Joe Torre said. “Because Juan was doing so well, we decided we’d see what we have here first before we see what our other options are outside the organization.”

Yankee right fielders were batting .282 with only three homers and 12 runs batted in before Wednesday’s game against Baltimore.

“He’s not here to sit on the bench. He’s here to play,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We’re not looking for him to be a savior. We don’t need a savior. We’re leading the majors in runs scored.”

Rivera was batting .328 with six homers and 33 runs batted in at Columbus.

*

Pitching coach Mark Connor and bench coach Cookie Rojas left the Toronto Blue Jays, two days after Buck Martinez was fired as manager and replaced by Carlos Tosca.... Texas put outfielder Carl Everett on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.... Kansas City put reliever Jason Grimsley on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained stomach muscle.