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Sports
Mar. 24, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

51s' new owners plan to change team name in '09

Stevens Group takes control of Las Vegas Triple-A franchise

By TODD DEWEY
REVIEW-JOURNAL
More Info


Derek Stevens
CEO of Stevens Baseball Group hopes to lure celebrity part-ownership of 51s

Like a moonshot sailing out of Cashman Field, the alien logo and team name of the Las Vegas 51s will be sent back to outer space next season by the ballclub's new owners.

The city's 25-year-old Triple-A baseball franchise will wear new blue hats, bearing a raised blue-and-white LV on the bill, at times this year, and the team will take on a new name after this season.

"We're the 51s for the 2008 season, but after that, I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of the 51s name," said Derek Stevens, CEO of the Stevens Baseball Group, which bought the franchise from Mandalay Baseball Properties in a deal approved last week. "We want to come up with another name, and that's something we'd like to target for the 2009 season."

Stevens said he plans to let the public pick the new name.

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    • Some changes will be made this year, said Stevens, who will be introduced to the media at a news conference today at Cashman Field. Among them are a new scoreboard featuring a 15-by-36-foot video board, and a new left-field party deck that can accommodate 100 people and has its own bar.

    "We want to add a few more entertainment options at games and create another alternative entertainment opportunity in Las Vegas," said Stevens, whose family hails from Detroit and manufactures nuts and bolts for the auto industry.

    Stevens, 40, and his brother Greg Stevens, 37, owners of Desert Rock Enterprises, recently completed the purchase of 50 percent of the Golden Gate hotel-casino and will institute the "Golden 10-run rule" at 51s games. Every time the 51s score 10 runs at home, all in attendance will receive a free shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate.

    Derek Stevens said he wants to sell about 25 percent of the team within the next few weeks and has had interest from high-profile celebrities he did not name.

    Las Vegas' affiliation deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers expires after this season, and a renewal could hinge on plans for a new stadium.

    "The Dodgers were very clear with us," Stevens said. "The status of the stadium will be the most significant factor in their willingness to extend our affiliation."

    While Stevens said "at some point we're going to need to have a new ballpark" and talked about it in terms of building a dome, he also said "it's still in the relatively early stages to do something like that" and getting a stadium built would take "a community effort."

    If the Dodgers decide to break their affiliation, Stevens sounded confident another big league club would replace them.

    "There are 30 major league teams and 30 Triple-A teams, and we will be an affiliate to one of them, irrespective of the stadium (issue)," Stevens said. "We're still Las Vegas, and Las Vegas is still one of the foremost desirable locations for a Triple-A team."

    The 51s will open the season with an eight-game homestand, starting April 3 against Salt Lake.

    Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0354.

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    Skip Hughes wrote on March 25, 2008 02:07 PM: There are lots of Dodger fans in this town. I don't really care about the name change (although I have grown to like 51s), but losing the affiliation with the Dodgers will mean my family will probably not be attending any more games at Cashman Field.


    TimeRanger wrote on March 24, 2008 11:33 PM: "...getting a stadium built would take "a community effort.""

    In Plain English, this means TAX DOLLARS


    Imani wrote on March 24, 2008 06:48 PM: Sounds great!!! I'm a women's football fan, GO!!! Showgirlz, their season stars on April 12th at home, would love to see the "51" and "Showgirlz" do some promotions together. See you in the stands at both teams games, Vegas #1 Sports Fan


    GOD wrote on March 24, 2008 06:01 PM: I love the 51s but never cared too much for the name.
    Good family fun for everyone. Best of luck to the new owner and a new name everyone will be happy with.


    Jazmin Smithzen wrote on March 24, 2008 03:02 PM: How about the Las Vegas Has-Beens?

    As a tip of the cap to the stereotyped performers who land in Vegas on their last legs.


    The Donald wrote on March 24, 2008 08:50 AM: What?? No more Cosmo? I won't be able to sleep now.


    Fan wrote on March 24, 2008 08:49 AM: Wow - Stevens is only 40? He looks 50. Anyhow, I agree the "51's" is a really stupid name. No, the "Stars" is a dumb name too.


    Nails10 wrote on March 24, 2008 08:45 AM: Why not the Las Vegas Stars? It was the original name and easily recognized. Las Vegas is full of stars and it would bring back tradition. The party deck is an excellent idea. More discounts should be provided for youth and little leaguers in our community.


    wayne p wrote on March 24, 2008 08:34 AM: This is great news! The 51's have faded into the background of this growing city. New ownership will restore a fun family atmosphere to Cashman field. I'm going to buy a tickets today!


    Come on wrote on March 24, 2008 08:29 AM: "he sounded confident..." ???

    OF COURSE another team will replace the Dodgers. The question is, does Las Vegas really want the Orioles or Reds or Brewers' AAA affiliate?

    By the way, doesn't the R-J own part of the 51s?


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