Owners expected to approve Crane

MILWAUKEE -- Jim Crane is expected to be approved as the new owner of the Houston Astros in a vote here Thursday by the owners of the other 29 MLB teams. The vote, which requires two-thirds approval to pass, is not expected to be unanimous.

Crane had first reached a deal to buy the Astros from longtime owner Drayton McLane for about $600 million back in May but has been waiting for final approval. The other owners are said to be pleased that Crane, who is getting a bit of a discount to buy the team, is willing to move the Astros to the American League in 2013.