MLB expansion in Nashville sounds good to Rickey Henderson, Chris Sabo and Andruw Jones

Chris Sabo doesn't remember much about the way Nashville used to be, back in the late 1980s and early '90s when he played minor league ball for the Sounds.

"I didn't do much when I was in Nashville; I didn't have any money so I didn't go anywhere," Sabo said. "I just went from my little apartment to Greer Stadium and that was about it."

But Sabo, the 1988 National League rookie of the year and member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, has seen what Nashville has become today with its economic and population growth over the last decade and believes it would be a good fit for a Major League expansion franchise.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has talked about expanding the MLB to 32 teams and listed Nashville as a possible destination.

Sabo, in town Sunday for the Music City Sports Card, Collectibles and Autograph Show, pointed out several reasons he likes the idea of Nashville getting an MLB team.

"It's a growing city, obviously a lot bigger than when I played here almost 36 years ago, and I'm sure they've got a bigger and better stadium than Greer Stadium was," Sabo said. "As long as you have a good stadium or plan to build a good stadium, you're on your way. They've got an NFL and NHL team already here, so yeah, it would be a good place for a team."

Along with the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and Nashville Predators (NHL), Nashville also has an MLS team (Nashville SC).

When asked whether he felt Nashville was far enough from existing MLB cities such as Atlanta, St. Louis and Cincinnati, Sabo said that was a non-issue.

"I mean Baltimore and Washington have a team, that's not too far away," Sabo said. "New York's got a few teams. If the Sounds draw well that would be a good sign."

Could MLB franchise work in Nashville? Ask Rickey Henderson

The Sounds were the Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year in 2022 with an average home attendance of 7,611 per game. Their home attendance increased in 2023 to 7,736, which was third in Minor League Baseball.

Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, the all-time stolen bases leader, has kept tabs on Nashville's hopes of landing an MLB team through his relationship with former World Series MVP Dave Stewart. Stewart is on the advisory board for Music City Stars, a group committed to bringing a franchise to Nashville.

"That group is doing its best to bring a team here and I'm all for it," Henderson said. "I know that Dave feels good about what they're doing."

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Henderson was a part of the Oakland As Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators coaching staff in 2019 when the Aviators played the Sounds at First Horizon Park and liked what he saw from Nashville then.

"We came here and had a lot of fun here," Henderson said. "It felt like a Major League city. The city is growing and I think they deserve and can support a team here."

Andruw Jones: South needs another MLB team

Ten-time Golden Glove winner Andruw Jones believes there are already plenty of MLB fans in Nashville that the city would have a headstart over others being considered for a franchise. Jones' No. 25 Atlanta Braves jersey was retired in September.

"You've got a lot Braves fans around here in the area," Jones said. "I love Nashville. I think it's a great town. Since they have an NFL team here already, why not add a baseball team? To add another baseball team in what we'll call the South a little bit, would be a good thing. We need it."

Jones also said the time is right for expansion.

"I think it's great for baseball if we can make it happen," he said. "It would give more opportunities for baseball players to go out there and chase their dreams. Why not have two more teams?"

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: MLB expansion in Nashville sounds good to Rickey Henderson, Andruw Jones