Rather than laterally move over a Tribune executive, they chose to find a baseball man with that background.

That storm was beginning to die down in January, when Tribune executives made another approach.

Tribune executives say The News lost $115 million in the 1980's.

Tribune executives lost their first court challenge to block the deal, but plan to be back in federal court with new claims this week.

Say what you will about Tribune executives, they vigorously trimmed back, so there isn't a lot of fat left.

But Tribune executives emphasized that the company remained committed to excellence and continues to win major awards.

Tribune executives said they would keep that charge in place but would add the advertisements to the new national service without another fee.

Last month, Tribune executives appeared at two packed neighborhood meetings to talk, however hesitantly, about the company's plan.

In addition, the Tribune executives said they wanted to sell advertising inside the ballpark; imagine, critics muttered.

Tribune executives said yesterday that 18,000 advertisers, about 45 percent of the number approached, had signed such an agreement.