The first thing we looked at was what we did and how successful we were after 9/11. We called our radio partner (WTAM-AM 1100) and kicked around some ideas.
Our female market demographic research showed there were 200 percent more women watching Indians games last season. Grady is the big reason. It's manifested in the 'Mrs. Sizemore' T-shirts.
We still expect to be in Winter Haven in 2006 and 2007, and we're still exploring options.
We work hard to be family-affordable entertainment. Baseball is the only major-league pro sport that is geared to families, which we at the Indians take very seriously. There are food items, souvenirs and ticket plans to fit every person's pocketbook.
It is extremely preliminary in the discussions. All we did was send them a very generic basic spring-training diagram.
We've had one conversation with them. It's very preliminary, and I emphasize very.
We're open to hearing about a new facility. What we've asked the city is to show us some plans. I don't think we're there yet.
From a professional and personal standpoint, Friday will never be the same for me. It was a badge of honor to be on Hal's call list.
There's a basic understanding that we can revisit this thing year to year. We need to figure this thing out.
We're very excited. Fans are getting closer to this team, and the bond is getting stronger every year. There's a comfort level with the players, and that familiarity is so important.
