Editorial: Mr. October’s praise

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

In April, when Las Vegas Sun sports writer Rob Miech broke the story that Las Vegas was one of several cities in contention to buy the Montreal Expos and move the baseball team here, the news was greeted skeptically by some of the city's movers and shakers. Las Vegas wasn't awarded the franchise, but it's become clear in the intervening months, even to previous skeptics, that Las Vegas is on the cusp of getting a major league team. It could be awhile before it becomes a reality, but it's going to happen.

Now you can add Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who has assembled an ownership group to bid for a Major League Baseball team, as one of those who believe Las Vegas is ready to be a viable big-league city. "Do I think it's real? Yes," said Jackson, a part-time resident of Las Vegas. Jackson declined to say what team he is pursuing. He also wouldn't say whether, if he were able to buy a team, he would bring it here. If Jackson were to land a team, it would be a milestone: He would become the first black owner of a Major League Baseball team.

"I think you have a better chance of being America's Team than any place else," Jackson told the Sun. That's high praise coming from "Mr. October" himself, who earned the nickname because he was a clutch hitter at playoff time. We have to admit that "America's Team" has a certain ring to it, one that is a perfect fit for Las Vegas, a city known for its eternal optimism and where greatness is not only expected but also demanded.