BEES FEVER HITS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
The Providence Bees are spending their first two seasons in Hartford while CVS Field is built and the team is selling out games at a record pace. Less than two months into the season, the team already has over 700,000 fans and that's considering the 31,000 stadium they play in was built for football.
"We're extremely excited about the reception we've received," said Bees GM Hayden Wood.
The team is in its third major league after winning the 2000 Challenge Series that promoted them to the majors.
Wood attributed the team's success to the fact that the Northeast is the "home" of baseball.
"Here it's not just a novelty or something you do with the kids and the family as if there isn't anything else. It's a way of life and we've just really appreciated how receptive the fans have been to the team since we've arrived and we're hoping to do even more."
The team invested tens of millions in new players during the off-season and at $62.9 million have the sixth highest payroll in baseball this year.
"I think it's a clear case of the team trying to quickly establish itself in the market," said a baseball writer with the Hartford Courant.
"You have to consider that there are three teams in New York City and a team in Boston. Fans here weren't devoid of teams to watch on TV or to root for, especially since at any given time all of those teams are going to be good. But to add another team to the fray, gives a bit of civic pride to the locals -- not so much in Hartford, but Providence -- but since the team is here now, people can embrace the team a bit more. After all, it's not as if the Yankees or the Bombers have come to town to play their home games. So, this is a meaningful experience."
MLB SUSPENDS ASTROS KEN MANNING FOR 100 GAMES
HOUSTON - During his years with the Detroit Tigers during the 1990s, Ken Manning became known as one of the fiercest hitters in the game. From 1990 until 1999, Manning logged 10 straight seasons of 100+ RBI. He had 453 career home runs, 2725 career hits and is a career .291 hitter.
And now, he's got another distinction. The first major player to be suspended for testing positive under MLB's new drug testing policy.
Manning had no comment and through his agent released a statement.
"At no time, have I ever knowingly taken any illegal substances. I pride myself in being a gamer, in being a great baseball player and I just cannot believe these accusations. I will do my best to clear my name."
Manning has been a hell of his former self since coming to Houston in a trade back in 2001. He hit just .238 last year with 15 HR and 72 RBI and has just 1 HR this year with 12 RBI.
One major league player, who refused to be named for this article said that the accusations of steroid use are not surprising. "This stuff has been going on in the game forever now. It's just now they're finally starting to notice and ding guys for it. You think guys hit 160+ RBI without some help? C'mon man, you gotta think with your head."
Most observers say that Manning will never play in the league again.
"No way, he's toast."
STANDINGS REPORT
The East is still being run away with by the Boston Yankees, who don't seem to be slowing down playing .800 on the season and look to shatter any sembelnce of the single-season record for wins. The Tigers are heading up the American, while the upstart Bees are being slowed a bit by the veteran Angels. In the National, the Rangers seek to foil Cincinnati plans at a division championship repeat. In the relegation zone, San Franciso holds a half game lead on Monterrey for the worst record in baseball, with Pittsburgh -- which won the World Series in 2000 - not too far behind.
In the Continental League, the fact that more and more MLB-native teams are making their way down there, are giving the divisions races there a different compexion than ever before. The White Sox and Twins are battling it out in the West, while the Tampa Bay Rays and newly returned to Philly Phillies trying to make their way to the majors for the first time ever.
MAJOR LEAGUE STANDINGS
June 1, 2003
Code:
Eastern Division W L PCT GB
Boston Yankees 54 12 .818 -
Brooklyn Cyclones 44 21 .677 9.5
New York Mets 43 22 .662 10.5
Baltimore Orioles 36 29 .554 17.5
New York Bombers 32 34 .485 22.0
Toronto Blue Sox 29 37 .439 25.0
Philadelphia Colonials 28 37 .431 25.5
Pittsburgh Pirates 23 41 .359 30.0
American Division W L PCT GB
Detroit Tigers 39 27 .591 -
Chicago Comets 37 28 .569 1.5
Columbus Clippers 36 30 .545 3.0
Kansas City Royals 35 31 .530 4.0
St. Louis Cardinals 32 34 .485 7.0
Colorado Rockies 30 37 .448 9.5
Chicago Cubs 29 37 .439 10.0
Monterrey Matadors 20 46 .303 19.0
Western Division W L PCT GB
Los Angeles Angels 40 26 .606 -
Providence Bees 38 26 .594 1.0
Seattle Mariners 33 33 .500 7.0
San Jose Captains 28 36 .438 11.0
San Diego Padres 28 37 .431 11.5
Riverside Red Sox 26 39 .400 13.5
Los Angeles Dodgers 25 40 .385 14.5
San Francisco Giants 20 45 .308 19.5
National Division W L PCT GB
Texas Rangers 43 23 .652 -
Cincinnati Reds 40 27 .597 3.5
Atlanta Athletics 38 27 .585 4.5
Florida Marlins 34 31 .523 8.5
San Antonio Aviators 32 34 .485 11.0
Washington Diplomats 29 36 .446 13.5
Houston Astros 24 40 .375 18.0
Arizona Diamondbacks 21 43 .328 21.0
CONTINENTAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
JUNE 1, 2003
Code:
Eastern Division W L PCT GB
Tampa Bay Rays 20 14 .588 -
Philadelphia Phillies 19 15 .559 1.0
New York Rens 16 18 .471 4.0
Cleveland Indians 16 19 .457 4.5
Charlotte Knights 15 19 .441 5.0
Milwaukee Braves 11 24 .314 9.5
Western Division W L PCT GB
Chicago White Sox 20 14 .588 -
Minnesota Twins 20 15 .571 .5
Portland Beavers 19 15 .559 1.0
Nevada Silverhawks 19 16 .543 1.5
Vancouver Whitecaps 16 18 .471 4.0
Sacramento River Cats 15 19 .441 5.0