Archives: Sept. 10-16, 2007
Ryan steps down as Twins GM; Smith named successor
Posted Sept. 14, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Terry Ryan, who established the current model for turning a midmarket team with limited resources into a winning franchise, stepped down as GM of the Minnesota Twins yesterday. Longtime assistant GM Bill Smith was named his successor. Working under some very limiting circumstances — the Twins have never been big players in the free-agent market and the team’s payroll is limited, to say the least — Ryan turned to the farm system as a way to revitalize the franchise. That approach requires some discipline, to say the least: it takes years to develop a prospect, and a team can spend a decade developing a player before losing him to free agency. Ryan was a dogged overseer of the farm system: we remember comparing notes with him on Joe Mauer when the phenom played for the Quad City River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League), as Ryan spent a lot of time on the road getting a first-hand view of his players. (That travel also endeared him to the Twins’ minor-league affiliates: farm teams love an appearance by the major-league GMs, and Ryan was certainly a constant presence.) True, Ryan’s philosophy was forced by the hand he was dealt — really, he had no option but to build up the farm system — but he added an uncanny ability to spot diamonds in the rough, no doubt enhanced by the time he spent with the farm teams. Look at some of the deals he made — Jason Bartlett for Brian Buchanan; David Ortiz for Dave Hollins; a few nobodies for Luis Castillo; Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser for A.J. Pierzynski; plucking Johan Santana from the Astros’ farm system — and the players developed under his watchful eye: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter, Brad Radke, to name a few. He wasn’t perfect (Twins fans wailed about his reluctance to add free agents in the midst of a pennant battle) and his teams never made a big impact in the playoffs. But in terms of creating the model of a successful franchise, his approach can be seen in the front offices of the Milwaukee Brewers (who apply the formula most successfully), the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Yankees (surprisingly), the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies and more. (Indeed, better treatment of minor-league affiliates may be Ryan’s lasting legacy as far as many readers of this site are concerned.) He does leave the team at an awkward time: the franchise will face some serious challenges signing soon-to-be free agents Santana and Hunter, and there’s a chance Ryan’s successor, Smith, could end up losing both because of financial considerations. Ryan’s turned down offers to serve as general manager of other teams, and we have no doubt he’s sincere in his statements about wanting to serve as an advisor to the team: it’s clear Ryan’s happiest scouting out talent, and we suspect he’ll be found touring the minors again next season. (Photo by Jim Robins.) LaVelle E. Neal III has a rambling, yet touching tribute to Ryan.
Pride to return in 2008 — maybe
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Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) owner John Stabile and Nashua Mayor Bernie Streeter announced a plan to keep the Pride in Nashua for future seasons. Stabile is hoping to sell a 50 percent interest of the team — priced at $800,000 — to local residents, regional companies and fans; if that happens he’ll keep the team going. Now, selling $800,000 in limited partnerships is not exactly an easy sell: besides access to the owner’s box, all an investor will get is the satisfaction of knowing they helped keep the team in Nashua. The plan is to woo 32 investors at $25,000 a share, or many more at $5,000 a share. Stabile would retain 50 percent ownership of the team and control over the day-to-day operations of the team. More from the Manchester Union Leader.
Family of teen hurt at Sky Sox game sues team
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The family of a 13-year-old Boy Scout who suffered brain damage after getting knocked over by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) mascot has filed a lawsuit against the team. Tyler Follon’s parents, Elizabeth and Eric Follon, are seeking an undetermined amount of damages from the minor league baseball team and HEC Services Worldwide, a company based in China that made the mock sumo wrestling suit Tyler was wearing when he was injured. Tyler went to the game at Security Service Field on June 10, 2005. He and a 12-year-old boy were chosen to don the oversized stuffed suits with headgear for a mock bout. The lawsuit, filed in late May in the 4th Judicial District, states the mascot pushed Tyler off the safety mat, and he hit his head on the infield dirt. Team officials failed to recognize that Tyler "had been seriously injured" and pulled him off the field, set him "upright in the stands and failed to call or obtain proper emergency care," according to the complaint.
Nats want prime-time ’08 opener
Posted Sept. 14, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Washington Nationals are pushing the idea of opening their new ballpark next season on a national stage, asking Major League Baseball officials to grant them a prime-time game on a Sunday night to be broadcast on ESPN, according to sources who have been briefed on the club’s plans. The proposal calls for a single game between the Nationals and an opponent to be determined, most likely one from the National League East, on the Sunday before the full major league schedule begins. MLB officials, who distributed a draft schedule to clubs earlier this week, are weighing that idea along with other moving parts in the schedule — such as a proposed series between Boston and Oakland in Tokyo. The schedule could change in coming weeks and months.
Say goodbye to RFK Stadium
Posted Sept. 14, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Washington Nationals end the season — and their tenure at RFK Stadium — with a 10-game homestand. The Nats haven’t been a huge success this season, either on the field (though they did improve after a horrendous start) or at the box office. Part of the issue was RFK Stadium, which was treated by the team as a temporary home. Understandably so — who wants to put money into a temporary venue? We’re not sure if the last two seasons were a trustworthy referendum on the state of baseball in D.C., but we did find RFK Stadium charming in a retro kinds way. More from the Washington Post.
Augusta ballpark study might start soon
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The study to determine the feasibility of building a new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) on the Savannah River in downtown Augusta could begin as early as next week, members of the Downtown Stadium Exploratory Committee said this week. The study will be conducted in three- to six-week phases, the first of which likely would be done by mid-October. The study will include whether a ballpark can be built on the proposed site — adjacent to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame’s Botanical Gardens between 11th and 13th streets — as well as other questions, such as cost, funding and parking.
Project costs stay in the ballpark
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As spending hikes go, it’s an infield single — the price tag for Coca-Cola Park, the new home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) has risen 2 percent, Lehigh County Commissioners were told Thursday. The cost of the county’s minor-league ballpark is now $49.4 million, county Administration Director Tom Muller told commissioners as he reviewed capital projects in the $400 million, no-tax-increase, 2008 budget. An unexpected need for 70,000 tons of imported fill for the east Allentown site resulted in the $1 million increase, he said. But the administration covered the expense by using $600,000 in hotel tax funds that had built up over the years and $400,000 in bond proceeds, Muller said.
League makes first pitch to councillors over Lynx Stadium
Posted Sept. 14, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Ottawa city council, if nothing else, is listening to Miles Wolff’s pitch to bring an independent Can-Am Association team to play at Lynx Stadium starting next summer. The big question is, according to Wolff, is how quickly the team can sign a lease. But the answer isn’t straightforward, as Wolff and several others found Thursday when a group of about 10 people met with about a dozen councillors in four separate meetings at city hall. A big issue is the current lawsuit filed by the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) against the city for the loss of parking at the ballpark; the Lynx are suing the city for $10 million and the city is threatening a $2 million penalty should the Lynx break their lease, which expires in 2009. Technically, the Lynx have not notified the city of the team’s intentions — though it will certainly end up in Allentown next spring — so that issue is up in the air. Wolff is trying to broker a deal where his league can assume the league and the Lynx will drop their lawsuit. Then there’s a proposal to turn the ballpark into a multiuse venue, which would preclude baseball from being played there for at least two years. In a smart move, Wolff says Baseball Canada would move their operations to the ballpark and use it as a showcase for the national team.
Focus on management, not sale of Yankees
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A local newspaper calls for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) to continue under the ownership of Lackawanna County and Luzerne County and the management of Mandalay Baseball Properties. The issue: Luzerne County is threatening to sue Lackawanna County over the agreement to sell the team — a deal made by Lackawanna County officials without the participation of Luzerne County officials, even the two jointly own the SWB Yankees — and that could end up mucking up everything.
Baseball union throws support to concession workers
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We’ve lately covered the labor unrest at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but there’s another ballpark facing unhappy workers: Rogers Centre, the home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Actor Danny Glover spoke to the workers the other day, and yesterday The high-profile union representing major league baseball players has thrown its support behind the drive to unionize concession workers at the Rogers Centre. Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, has written a letter of support for the union drive being conducted by UNITE HERE, which represents 50,000 hotel, food service, garment and manufacturing workers in Canada.
Moss works on South Atlantic League Hall of Fame
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After John H. Moss retires at the end of the year as president of the Low Class A South Atlantic League, he’ll move on to his next project: the establishment of a Sally League Hall of Fame. Moss was in Columbus to see the Catfish take on the West Virginia Power in the league championship series, and he threw out the first pitch at the last game of his tenure. When you look at the teams of the Western Carolina League in 1960 and the league today, the difference is astounding. Interestingly, some of the ballparks from that 1960 season, like Salisbury’s, still stand.
Foxhounds will be back
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Will the independent South Coast League be back next season? We’ve heard nothing that would have us believe otherwise, but apparently the talk in Aiken is that the Aiken Foxhounds would not be returning. Foxhounds general manager Bradley Bell says the team will definitely be back, and he’s already out selling for the 2008 season. The Foxhounds averaged 1,005 fans per game, almost right on the goal the club had set for the year, and Bell says a small improvement could make a big difference.
Would minor-league baseball play in Bloomington/Normal?
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A group of community leaders has been studying the idea of bringing a minor league baseball team to the Bloomington/Normal (Ill.) area and are ready to hear what residents think. The committee has talked to Heartland Community College about a possible partnership for a baseball field; the local group is looking for an investor to buy the team and also upgrade the ballpark. (The issue of sports facilities in Bloomington is a nasty one; the city had a bad experience with a local arena suffering larger-than-expected losses, so don’t expect any public funding.) The group has talked with the independent Frontier League, but a more realistic goal would be a summer-collegiate team.
Ballpark lease renewed for Wizards ’08 season
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The Memorial Coliseum board of trustees approved a one-year lease extension Thursday for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) to play the 2008 season at Memorial Stadium. Team officials want to begin the 2009 season playing in a new downtown ballpark. The lease extension included no changes from the current lease, which was set to expire at the end of the month, and didn’t include a rent increase. The Wizards will pay about $208,872 to the Coliseum to use Memorial Stadium next year.
Ballpark Notes
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The independent Northern League announced the Kansas City T-Bones was named the 2007 Organization of the Year as voted on by the league’s managers, radio announcers, and local media. Celebrating their fifth season in Kansas City, the T-Bones took home the organization of the year honors for the second time in four years. While falling just two games short of qualifying for the post-season on the field, off the field the T-Bones increased their total attendance for the fifth straight season. They are the only franchise in the history of Kansas City professional sports to increase attendance numbers each year of existence. The 2007 season was the first time in team history they averaged more than 6,000 fans per game.
Finales set for Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium
Posted Sept. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Yankee Stadium is set to host its final regular-season game on Sept. 21, 2008, with New York playing Baltimore. Shea Stadium will hold its regular-season wrapup a week later, on Sept. 28 against Florida. The Yankees and Mets recently received schedule drafts for the 2008 season from the commissioner’s office. The Yankees also will host the All-Star game. Both New York teams are moving into new ballparks in 2009, with the old ballparks slated for demolition soon after the final games. Yankee Stadium opened in 1923 and was extensively renovated in the mid-1970s. The new $1 billion ballpark is built across the street and will keep the same name. Shea Stadium opened in 1964. The $800 million Citi Field is being built in the parking lot beyond Shea Stadium’s center-field wall.
Ilitch set on Comerica Park seating expansion
Posted Sept. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Expressing glee over his baseball team, which last year played in the World Series and this year will draw more than three million customers, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch said Wednesday he hoped to increase seating at Comerica Park as part of an annual plan aimed at "enhancing" the eight-year-old ballpark. Ilitch said the Tigers will consider incremental ways in which attendance might be increased at Comerica. It is one of the smallest ballparks in the majors with a capacity of 41,070. One possibility: trimming the dugouts to add more premium seating.
Council postpones vote on Reno ballpark
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The Reno City Council postponed until Sept. 20 votes on documents creating a new downtown ballpark for the relocated Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The delay gives city staff more time to prepare an analysis of public safety concerns in moving the downtown fire station to Keystone Avenue to make room for the ballpark. City officials have proposed moving the fire department to city owned properties on Keystone Avenue. But City Manager Charles McNeely said other options might be available, including finding a place for the station in the proposed ballpark district. City officials are in a race against time to approve the stadium deal. All of the agreements must be signed before Oct. 1 or county car rental fees approved by the state for a ballpark project will be lost. A vote by the Washoe County commission for the use of those fees is scheduled Sept. 25. Meanwhile, SK Baseball LLC completed its purchase of the Sidewinders from Jay Zucker on Wednesday, clearing the way for a move. Zucker will receive $15 million, or $13.5 million if the team does not move. PCL officials say they expect a relocation request (a formality, really) to be filed at league offices shortly.
Brighton council approves ballot measure
Posted Sept. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Brighton (Col.) city officials touted a proposed ballpark for an independent American Association team as a site that could host concerts, car shows and even high school graduations, adding a new profile to what was at first a simple facility. It’s this multi-faceted quality that has become a major selling point for a proposed sales tax increase to fund the facility, which will go before the voters on the ballot in November. The new complex would contain 3,500 to 4,000 seats, 12 suites, a team locker, training facilities, youth play areas, a stage, a parking lot, a scoreboard and other features. The facility would be ready to host a team for the 2009 baseball season. No site has been chosen, but downtown Brighton is a possibility.
Pirates hire Frank Coonelly as team president
Posted Sept. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It’s official: The Pittsburgh Pirates today officially announced that the hiring of Frank Coonelly as the team’s new president. The anticipated announcement was made by Pirates Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting. "This is a tremendous step forward in the transition of our organization. After an extensive search process, it became clear to me that Frank is by far the best and most qualified choice to become the day-to-day leader of this organization," said Nutting. "Frank brings a tremendous amount of baseball experience to this role. This experience will be a c