Playing Hardball

This spring, baseball's National League will include two new teams, the Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins. In telling the story of how the business and municipal alliances of expansion hopefuls in Denver and Miami beat out contending groups in Washington, D.C., Buffalo, Orlando and St. Petersburg, Whitford ( Extra Innings ) leaves the reader with few illusions about behind-the-scenes action in the national pastime. During the 1980s the baseball establishment considered expansion until the U.S. Senate, led by Colorado's Tim Wirth, hinted at ending the antitrust exemption granted to baseball. Prompt action ensued. The economic backing of the two new teams is vastly different: Denver had trouble raising the $100 million-plus needed for startup, while the Marlins had an angel in Wayne Huizenga, owner of two multimillion dollar businesses, including Blockbuster Video. This well-researched and carefully delineated business history will also capture the interest of the sport's fans. (Apr.)