PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland officials forged ahead Thursday with a detailed plan to finance a $350-million ballpark even though the city's chances of landing the Expos appear remote.
Baseball officials met this week with groups from Washington and northern Virginia, the leading candidates in the bidding for the Expos. Baseball also intends to meet with groups from Las Vegas and Norfolk, Va.
Portland is pushing ahead, hoping to be in a better position for the next major-league team that explores a move.
"Without this we were nowhere. With this, we're now more so in it than ever before," said David Kahn, head of the Oregon Baseball Campaign and special adviser to the mayor on baseball.
Under Portland's plan, most of the stadium financing would come from Oregon legislation enacted last year, which allows $115-million in income taxes paid by future players and other team personnel to be used to offset the stadium cost.
Businesses within walking distance of the ballpark would pay a yearly licensing fee and a percentage of gross receipts for an estimated $56-million. The team's lease would bring in $12-million, ticket sales $85-million and concessions and merchandise taxes $29-million.
Meanwhile, Expos second baseman Jose Vidro went on the 15-day disabled list one day after he decided to have season-ending knee surgery Sept. 8.
GIAMBI STILL HOPEFUL: Jason Giambi, slowed by a respiratory infection and strained left groin, increased his workout program in Tampa with the aim of returning this season. He has been at the spring complex the past two weeks getting into shape after being diagnosed with a benign tumor last month.
Meanwhile, Yankees manager Joe Torre said he wasn't trying to anger owner George Steinbrenner by starting Kenny Lofton in rightfield, simply keeping regular rightfielder Gary Sheffield, who is playing through a shoulder injury, off Toronto's turf. Lofton started in right Aug. 9 and bobbled a ball for an error.
ANNOUNCER REHIRED: An announcer fired by a minor-league team for making a joke about New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey's sexual orientation was rehired at the governor's urging. Greg Maiuro lost his job with the Atlantic City Surf after dedicating the 1970s song YMCA, widely considered a gay anthem, to McGreevey during a game Aug. 17.
ASTROS: Right-handed reliever Dan Miceli went on the disabled list with pink eye.
RED SOX: First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is day to day after straining his left shoulder sliding into second Wednesday.
WHITE SOX: Right-hander Freddy Garcia was scratched from his scheduled start tonight with tightness in his pitching forearm.
