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Insulting Giants might be first step in selling A's

March 7, 2004


By BOB PADECKY
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


Like some of the materials his men use to build his houses, Steve Schott is rough-hewn. The A's co-owner is not polished, slick or diplomatic. He doesn't dance around a topic. He's a real-estate developer. He hammers it. On Saturday, Schott got out the hammer and when he was through pounding, he left little doubt Peter Magowan and George Steinbrenner are enemies, a new stadium is a pipedream, the old stadium is a hovel and selling the A's is not a ridiculous idea.

How about this one as an appetizer, referring to the Yankees' $190 million payroll: "Gimme a break! Gag me! I would be absolutely embarrassed to spend that kind of money and not win. And you can quote me on that."

Unlike his first few years as A's co-owner, Schott is not shy anymore. Growing frustration with Magowan, the Giants managing general partner, is part of the reason. Magowan was quoted a few days ago as saying the A's can't build a new stadium in the South Bay because the Giants have territorial rights, a statement he has made repeatedly.

"Every time the subject (A's moving) comes up," Schott said, "they go berserk. It's like when I hear my 4-year old granddaughter. Crybaby. Crybaby. They like to cry a lot about that."

The only true rivalry that exists between the A's and Giants is not between the players but between the owners. Schott interpreted Magowan's comments the other day this way: "To defuse bigger problems he has over there." As cheap shots go, this was a good one and just has to foster continued disharmony between Magowan and Schott.

Or maybe not.

"The Giants, I'm sure without a doubt, wish they hadn't done what they had done with private money," Schott said of SBC Park's financing. "They are suffering. A little hiccup and they got serious problems."

"A little hiccup" could mean Barry Bonds being indicted on steroid use or the Giants failing to win. Either way, ticket sales might be affected. Although no one knows for sure if this would delight Schott, the drool emerging from the corner of his mouth might be a giveaway.

As a negotiating technique, the sarcastic insult is a unique approach. Then again, maybe it's not a negotiating technique. Maybe it's "Ah, h.ell, what have I got to lose" technique. Schott feels trapped and is lashing out at anything that moves, which, in this case, would be Magowan's mouth.

"We like a new stadium," Schott said. "We deserve one. We have to have one. We can't continue to do what we've done without one. It's outdated, antiquated and obsolete."

Funny, that's the same song then-Giants owner Bob Lurie once chanted about Candlestick Park. Look where it got Lurie. After years of complaining, he wasn't taken seriously, sold the team and was perceived as a lightweight. Schott is making sure no one considers him a lightweight.

"We want to keep the A's in the East Bay," Schott said. "Do they have any money (for a new stadium)? I doubt it."

That would leave the South Bay, where Magowan is standing with his tongue out. In fact, that would leave most of Northern California with its tongue out. The public is understandably quite hesitant to open up their wallets in economic hard times so a professional baseball team full of millionaires can thrive.

"I don't know if I can personally, mentally and physically stay with this thing through a long period of time," Schott said.

Sympathy, as a negotiating technique, is also a unique approach. It will be, as far as Peter Magowan is concerned, just as effective as the sarcastic insult. Which leads to a logical question.

What constructive purpose did Schott's comments serve?

None. Unless this was the first asphalt Schott laid to pave the way for his exit.

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Super Bowl's Over. It's Time To Play Ball And Bring The Expos Home.