Sounds possible opening last Greer homestand

The end of the 2001 baseball season is near for the Nashville Sounds, who shined in Florida during spring training and then saw their season snowball downhill thereafter.

The Sounds finish a less-than-spectacular season starting tonight with a four-game Pacific Coast League series against the visiting Tucson Sidewinders.

Among the many questions surrounding the Sounds is whether they will return to obsolete Greer Stadium for the 25th season in 2002 or whether their Illinois-based ownership literally will find greener pastures in either Williamson or Sumner counties.

Former Sounds Manager Tom Spencer brings the Sidewinders to town as they, too, conclude a less-than-glorious season. Just like the Sounds, the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate rests in last place in the Southern Division.

The Sounds and Eastern Division rival Memphis have been squaring off this week to see who earns bragging rights to the basement in their division.

Spencer has been featured in Sports Illustrated and other publications in recent years. He was featured in articles related to minorities not being given opportunities to manage at the major league level. Spencer fashioned a 74-68 record with the Sounds in 1997