Astros On The Way Out

Houston political and business leaders, having been unable to meet any of the three conditions set by Astros owner Drayton McLane, said the team will probably ask Major League Baseball this week to give formal consideration to a possible relocation to the Washington, D.C. area.

Kevin McClatchy’s exclusive negotiating window to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates ends today, and Major League Baseball’s ownership committee has scheduled a noon phone call to consider his $85 million to $90 million offer.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. secretly contacted prospective buyers for the St. Louis Cardinals weeks before it announced the move to the public, according to a published report.

Chairman August Busch III and chief financial officer Jerry Ritter quietly began contacting wealthy men and offering them the team several weeks before the company officially announced Oct. 25 that the team was for sale.