Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson has been hired in a “goodwill capacity” for the 2009 season. While nothing would tickle me more than to have Rickey as a 1B/3B/bench coach, this is at least a good start. Yes, I would like to see him don an A’s uniform one last time if that’s at [...]

And so it begins. Two stories, one from the AP and another by MLB.com reporter Barry M. Bloom, start off in familiar territory. Commissioner Selig wants resolution of the Fremont situation, as stated in his December letter, and if Fremont falls through the A’s “may begin to discuss a ballpark with other communities.” If this [...]

Matier and Ross report that the Niners, should their efforts to get a stadium in Santa Clara falter or slip, are prepared to re-up at the ‘Stick for 5, 10, or even 15 years. Candlestick Park still works reasonably well as a barebones football stadium. No seats are insanely high. Other that a few obstructed [...]

It’s not on the calendar yet, but I have confirmed that Lew Wolff will speak at a San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce event in February. The specifics: A’s and Earthquakes: Plans for 2009?with Lew WolffWednesday, February 11, 7:30-9:30 AM@ Adobe SystemsPark Conference Room345 Park Ave., San Jose Online registration will be available shortly, [...]

I’m confirming a big piece of San Jose-related news today. In preparation for that, here’s a clip of San Jose’s Municipal Code (link dead) related to building sports facilities within the city limits: 4.95.010 Prohibition of the use of tax dollars to build a sports facility The city of San José may participate in the [...]

Effects from the economic crisis are hitting everyone, including wealthy team owners. Bruce Ratner has been forced to scale back value engineer his Brooklyn arena vision. The Yankees are looking for $370 million to “finish” New Yankee Stadium. Locally, talks of the Niners and Raiders teaming up to get a stadium done together may have [...]

I received a note this morning from Jim Pappas, KTRB’s VP and GM. The station has FCC and FAA approval to construct a new transmitter in Sonoma County. The 50,000-watt facility would seriously augment coverage in the North Bay and Sacramento. By now you’ve seen the existing coverage map: The new Sonoma Daytime transmitter map [...]

In a move that should delight listeners all over the bay, the A’s are moving to 50,000-watt KTRB-AM 860. KTRB’s transmitter is located in the Diablo Range east of Sunol, which is a big improvement over the three transmitter locations it used two years ago. Check out the maps below for a better idea of [...]

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that the Raiders are in talks to sell at least 10% of team to a group of LA-based investors. As usual, Raider management has steadfastly denied the rumor. The real issue here is that of controlling interest of the team, which has been in Al Davis’s hands for more than three [...]

The AL champion Tampa Rays, in conjunction with a coalition called “A Baseball Community,” released a two-part study (PDF: Part I/Part II) on seven possible future ballpark sites. The sites, all within St. Petersburg city limits, range from the downtown waterfront site upon which the Rays had previously planned a new ballpark to a 250-acre [...]