Major league baseball owners unanimously approve the November transaction in which Bob Castellini and two other Cincinnati businessmen bought control of the Reds from previous owner Carl Lindner. It is reported the trio, which includes investors Thomas Williams and William Williams Jr., acquired approximately 70 percent ownership of baseball’s oldest franchise, believed to be valued at an estimated $270 million.

Baseball officials are cautiously expecting good news soon from the George W. Bush administration that would clear the way for Cuba to participate in the first World Baseball Classic. Meanwhile, Fidel Castro suggests the United States doesn’t want to play Cuba in the WBC. The U.S. Treasury Department last month denied MLB’s application for Cuba to play its scheduled first-round games in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Later rounds are to be played on the U.S. mainland. The license is required under 45-year-old American sanctions against Cuba. The International Baseball Federation has said it will not sanction the tournament if Cuba isn’t allowed to play.