McLEAN, Va. - As baseball officials met Wednesday with backers hoping to lure the Expos to Northern Virginia, a second key lawmaker said he opposes a plan to finance a ballpark with bonds backed by the "moral obligation" of the state.
Senate Finance Chairman John Chichester said a private business such as a baseball club should not benefit from the state's moral obligation bonds, which traditionally have been used for local water quality projects and other public works.
Moral obligation bonds "were not developed to help private enterprise," Chichester, a Republican who also serves as the Senate's president pro tempore, said Tuesday. "Private enterprise has to stand on its own."
Chichester's opposition means the two most powerful legislators in the Virginia General Assembly, he and House Speaker William Howell, are on record against a key component of the plan to build a $442-million ballpark near Dulles International Airport.
Northern Virginia and Washington are the leading contenders in the bidding for the Expos, with Norfolk and Las Vegas also under consideration. Washington officials met with baseball Tuesday, and Norfolk officials are expected to meet with the baseball group next week, said Will Somerindyke, chairman of the Norfolk Baseball Company.
Brian Hannigan, spokesman for the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority, a quasi-state agency trying to lure the Expos to Northern Virginia, said use of the so-called "moral obligation" bonds is crucial to the ballpark financing plan.
The Expos' relocation has been delayed several times, in large part because of baseball's demand for public funding for a new ballpark.
Meanwhile, Expos second baseman Jose Vidro decided to have season-ending knee surgery Sept. 8 to repair recurring patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
Vidro, a three-time All-Star, chose to have the operation after a recent MRI exam on his knee, which has bothered him over parts of the past two seasons and has caused him to miss four straight starts.
TWO GONE FOR HOMOPHOBIC JOKES: The public address announcer for the minor-league Atlantic City Surf was fired and the scoreboard operator resigned after ridiculing New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey's sexual orientation.
Announcer Greg Maiuro dedicated a between-innings rendition of the song YMCA to McGreevey during an Aug. 17 game, less than a week after McGreevey announced he had had an extramarital affair with a man and would resign. The 1970s hit song by the Village People is widely considered a gay anthem.
The next night, scoreboard operator Marco Cerino posted the message "Sponsored by Gov. Jim McGreevey" on the scoreboard when the song was played. Cerino resigned over the incident, the team said.
BREWERS: Left-hander Chris Capuano went on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow. Right-hander Pedro Liriano was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.
METS: Free-agent outfielder Brian Buchanan signed, and right-handed reliever Heath Bell was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
ORIOLES: Right-hander Eddy Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa to make room for left-hander Bruce Chen, who was recalled from the International League team.
RANGERS: Right-hander Chan Ho Park is expected to come off the disabled list today and make his first start since May 19. Park, who has spent more time hurt than pitching since signing a $65-million, five-year contract before the 2002 season, has been on the disabled list with a strained lower back.
REDS: Ken Griffey Sr., 19th-century pitcher Will White and executive Bob Howsam will be inducted into the team Hall of Fame on Sunday.
RED SOX: First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz left in the third inning after straining his left shoulder while sliding into second base.
