MLB owners approve sale of Padres
The O'Malleys are back in the baseball business.
Back in Southern California, too, just down the road in San Diego instead of Los Angeles.
In a quick vote Thursday, Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of the Padres to a group that includes Kevin and Brian O'Malley, the sons of former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley.
Commissioner Bud Selig announced the endorsement after the conclusion of the owners meetings in Denver.
Under the deal, the group will buy the franchise from owner John Moores for around $800 million. The final closing of the sale will be on or before Aug. 31.
Ron Fowler, a local businessman in San Diego, will become the executive chairman. The new ownership group also consists of Peter and Tom Seidler, the nephews of Peter O'Malley, along with golfer Phil Mickelson.
This is a group of heavy hitters, especially given the pedigree of the O'Malley family. The late Walter O'Malley bought the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and moved them to Los Angeles before the 1958 season.
Peter O'Malley eventually took over for his father and all told under the family's ownership, the Dodgers won six World Series and 13 NL championships before being sold in 1998.
In comparison, the Padres have been to two World Series, losing in 1984 and 1998.
* AMERICAN LEAGUE
Rangers 10, Yankees 6: Craig Gentry's tiebreaking two-run single in the seventh lifted Texas at New York.
White Sox 7, Blue Jays 2: Alex Rios hit a three-run homer, leading Chicago at Toronto.
Red Sox 6, Orioles 3: Dustin Pedroia singled in the tiebreaking run in the sixth, lifting Boston at Baltimore.
Athletics 3, Royals 0: Coco Crisp and Yoenis Cespedes homered to lead Oakland at Kansas City.
Rays 7, Angels 0: At Anaheim, Calif., David Price pitched three-hit ball over seven innings and Tampa Bay beat Los Angeles.
* NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pirates 10, Dodgers 6: Garrett Jones hit two three-run homers, leading host Pittsburgh past Los Angeles.
Braves 6, Padres 0: Chipper Jones homered twice and Atlanta beat visiting San Diego.
Mets 8, Reds 4: Matt Harvey pitched solidly into the eighth and New York won at Cincinnati.
Rockies 5, Marlins 3: At Denver, Michael Cuddyer homered and Colorado beat Miami.
Brewers 7, Phillies 4: Corey Hart's grand slam lifted Milwaukee past visiting Philadelphia.
Diamondbacks 2, Cardinals 1: Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young homered in the ninth, rallying Arizona at St. Louis.