Oklahoma City on list of possible MLB expansion

[Section22Sooner]

But I sincerely doubt I will see it in my lifetime. But here's the NewsOK.com story and the link.

Report: Oklahoma City on MLB's radar
by Jacob Unruh Modified: July 14, 2015 at 5:28 pm • Published: July 14, 2015

First the NBA and now perhaps Major League Baseball could eventually make its way to Oklahoma City, according to a report from ESPN.com.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the Baseball Writers Association of America luncheon at the All-Star Game in Cincinnati on Tuesday and revealed a list of cities that could be on MLB's radar should the league expand or relocate teams. Oklahoma City was on the list of 10 cities - three of which were out of the United States.

Other cities on the list are Montreal, Charlotte, N.C., San Antonio, Portland, Ore., Las Vegas, northern New Jersey, Mexico City or Monterrey, Mexico.

"Maybe one of the reasons I got this job is, I'm bullish on this game," Manfred told reporters. "I think we are a growth business, broadly defined. And over an extended period of time, growth businesses look to get bigger. So yeah, I'm open to the idea that there will be a point in time where expansion may be possible."

Oklahoma City has been the home of a Triple-A baseball club since 1962 when its parent club was the Houston Colt .45s. Since then, four organizations have been in OKC - Cleveland, Philadelphia, Texas and now Los Angeles.

The OKC Dodgers are in their inaugural season in the city and own the Pacific Coast League's best record at 56-32 entering this week's All-Star break.

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark was opened in 1998 and currently 9,000 fans is its current capacity. It can be expanded to less than 14,000 fans at capacity. For perspective, the smallest MLB stadium is Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field, which holds a capacity of 31,042 fans. The largest stadium is Dodger Stadium with a capacity of 56,000.

So, what do you think? Would Oklahoma City be a good spot for MLB?

To me, it's obviously just a location on a list and far from being a reality. There would be a lot of obstacles - a new stadium among them - but it's sure fun to think about.


http://newsok.com/report-oklahoma-city-on-mlbs-radar/article/5433694

 

[CTOkie]

But I sincerely doubt I will see it in my lifetime. But here's the NewsOK.com story and the link.

Report: Oklahoma City on MLB's radar
by Jacob Unruh Modified: July 14, 2015 at 5:28 pm • Published: July 14, 2015

First the NBA and now perhaps Major League Baseball could eventually make its way to Oklahoma City, according to a report from ESPN.com.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the Baseball Writers Association of America luncheon at the All-Star Game in Cincinnati on Tuesday and revealed a list of cities that could be on MLB's radar should the league expand or relocate teams. Oklahoma City was on the list of 10 cities - three of which were out of the United States.

Other cities on the list are Montreal, Charlotte, N.C., San Antonio, Portland, Ore., Las Vegas, northern New Jersey, Mexico City or Monterrey, Mexico.

"Maybe one of the reasons I got this job is, I'm bullish on this game," Manfred told reporters. "I think we are a growth business, broadly defined. And over an extended period of time, growth businesses look to get bigger. So yeah, I'm open to the idea that there will be a point in time where expansion may be possible."

Oklahoma City has been the home of a Triple-A baseball club since 1962 when its parent club was the Houston Colt .45s. Since then, four organizations have been in OKC - Cleveland, Philadelphia, Texas and now Los Angeles.

The OKC Dodgers are in their inaugural season in the city and own the Pacific Coast League's best record at 56-32 entering this week's All-Star break.

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark was opened in 1998 and currently 9,000 fans is its current capacity. It can be expanded to less than 14,000 fans at capacity. For perspective, the smallest MLB stadium is Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field, which holds a capacity of 31,042 fans. The largest stadium is Dodger Stadium with a capacity of 56,000.

So, what do you think? Would Oklahoma City be a good spot for MLB?

To me, it's obviously just a location on a list and far from being a reality. There would be a lot of obstacles - a new stadium among them - but it's sure fun to think about.
There are enough teams already (30) and unless the Oakland A's move to OKC or anywhere else, I don't want to see anymore expansion. Why water down an already water downed product ?
An A's move to San Antonio, Vegas, Portland or Charlotte might be a good idea. I think Texas could support three teams as it has 3 of the top 10 largest cities in the country.


http://newsok.com/report-oklahoma-city-on-mlbs-radar/article/5433694

I want no more teams, but the A's really need to move and OKC, San Antonio, Charlotte or Portland might be a good idea.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

In terms of today, building a stadium in San Antonio could support a team, as well as Charlotte. I'm not sure if OKC could handle a MLB..... yet. Although I do think they will eventually.

 

[Sooners83]

I agree WNAS...although they would semi compete with the Thunder, I am not quite sure what kind of following OKC has for MLB. Does anyone know what the attendance the current OKC dodgers is?

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

BTW, the starting American League pitcher in the All-Star game is from Tulsa, OK. Astro LH pitcher Dallas Keuchel. He went to Bishop Kelly HS, then on to the Razorbacks.

 

[sybarite]

Does OKC want to pay to build some owner a major league stadium?

 

[Dastardly Deed]

The OKC minor league Dodgers baseball team is lucky to draw 7,000 a game; OU lucky to draw 3,000; ditto OSU. I don't see that much interest in baseball here. Women's softball is probably more popular, with the Women's World Series in OKC. An NFL team would be more likely, and that'll NEVER happen.

Hope nobody recalls that I said the same thing about an NBA team here.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I do recall DD, but I wasn't going to mention it.

No one could have predicted how the Okies would take to the Thunder like they have...no one!

 

[Sooners83]

The OKC minor league Dodgers baseball team is lucky to draw 7,000 a game; OU lucky to draw 3,000; ditto OSU. I don't see that much interest in baseball here. Women's softball is probably more popular, with the Women's World Series in OKC. An NFL team would be more likely, and that'll NEVER happen.

Hope nobody recalls that I said the same thing about an NBA team here.

We...or OKC was a bit lucky in getting the Hornets to come to town when the hurricane hit. If it wasn't for them coming and fans showing up for games in huge numbers, I think it would have been a hard sell for someone to come to OKC..

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Former OKC Mayor Ron Norick was very involved in getting the NBA to OKC. When the development of Bricktown was in the very early planning stages, I met with him in an effort to save a building that was in it's path as the city was in the process of filing for imminent domain. This particular building had a uniqueness to it and the CEO for company I worked did not want to lose this building. I was instructed to make things happen and to go meet with the Mayor and explain our position.

I found that he was genuine in my dealings with him and he was very serious about Bricktown, the Bricktown Ball Park, and the Ford Center, what is now the Chesapeake Energy Center. I could tell by his discussions and his passion that he was going to indeed do all he could to land a team. My last meeting with him ended early with him going to NYC for the NBA expansion announcement. OKC missed out on the bid on that visit, but they had pitched the idea and eventually OKC landed a team. Bricktown Ball Park, the Ford Center and the Thunder arrived after he left office, but there is no doubt that he, along with some others, greased the track for these things to occur.

BTW, I was able to manage to save that building as well. We tossed some money at it to clean it up a bit in an attempt to 'fit in' with the concept of Bricktown.

 

[Section22Sooner]

One omitted point and possibly misstated in WNAS' post.. The Ford Center as it was called after completion, wasn't built with the NBA in mind. It was built for NHL expansion. But OKC lost out to Columbus, Ohio where the NHL Blue Jackets now reside. The desire of landing an NBA team was already in place when the Hornets arrived. George Shinn would have loved to stay in OKC, but was obligated to return to NOLA. Then Clay Bennett's group purchased the Supersonics and the rest is history.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

You may very well be correct 22, but I can assure you, that the Mayor had desires and ambitions to bring in the NBA. It might have been sold to the general public as an NHL stadium, but not in the mind of Norick.

 

[Section22Sooner]

You are wrong about that. It was 100% the goal to get an NHL team when MAPS money was approved and construction started.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/06/18/oth_210066.shtml#.VahlM5VRGwk

 

[Section22Sooner]

Ron Norick was a hockey man. He owned the Oklahoma City Stars CHL team.

http://newsok.com/breaking-the-ice-...re-spiraling-costs-ate-up-chl/article/2184157

 

[WP76]

While the Thunder has great fan support now the real test will be when Durant and Westbrook leave/retire. Then we'll really see if the Thunder franchise has staying power.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Dude, I'm not going to argue with you. I know what I know and had discussions with the man. Believe as you wish. I fully intend to do the same.

 

[K2C Sooner]

Dude, I'm not going to argue with you. I know what I know and had discussions with the man. Believe as you wish. I fully intend to do the same.

You and 22 sure do keep us entertained with your arguments. I get a laugh everytime you guy's go after each other. Be sure to keep it up..

BTW, Is that a 72 GMC pick up in your avatar?

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

He's clearly still mad ... but whatever.

Actually, it's a 69 Chevy C-10. I enjoy the hell out of it and drive it every day I can when it's not raining etc. It was a standard white top, gold/white strip/gold bottom, but when I had it painted, I moved to an off white roof top and off white bottom. I think it looks much better. It runs like a bat out of hell.

 

[K2C Sooner]

He's clearly still mad ... but whatever.

Actually, it's a 69 Chevy C-10. I enjoy the hell out of it and drive it every day I can when it's not raining etc. It was a standard white top, gold/white strip/gold bottom, but when I had it painted, I moved to an off white roof top and off white bottom. I think it looks much better. It runs like a bat out of hell.

I owned a 72 GMC that looked just like it, except a lighter gold/yellow. I guess the body styles were the same for the GMC products. C-10? Care to tell me about that style? I've heard it before, but I've never been a GM fan.

I have a 81 Ford F100 stepside with a new 5ltr engine with Elderbrook modifications. Perfect body and new interior. Classic copper color and will easily pull an RV.. Well, except the flywheel is out...........

Back to the infighting...........LOL