It fits Beaverton like a glove – Oregonian Editorial

The ability to catch is sometimes underrated both in baseball and in urban affairs. As legendary manager Casey Stengel once put it, “Why has our pitching been so great? Our catcher, that’s why. He looks cumbersome” — Stengel was talking about Yogi Berra — “but he’s quick as a cat.”

We got to thinking about that this week because, even as we speak, a huge opportunity is hurtling toward Beaverton. And Mayor Denny Doyle has his eye on the ball.

His city now has a chance to land the Triple-A, minor-league Beavers’ baseball team. Owner Merritt Paulson is eager to move his team to Beaverton, if only a public-private partnership can be developed to build a baseball stadium there.

Although some sites have been ruled out, others are plausible, wouldn’t foreclose other economic development opportunities, and they’re close to parking and light-rail lines. The stadium would be a community asset, drawing thousands of new people from throughout the region to Beaverton. So, by rights, this city of 86,205 should be cheering in the stands.

— Excerpt from The Oregonian’s Editorial, October 15, 2009