We noted this in yesterday’s newsletter, and apparently now it’s close to official: Reid Ryan will be the next president of the Houston Astros, according to a report in MLB.com. The appointment will be announced at a news conference today. The team is on the hunt for a new president/CEO after George Postolos resigned on […]
Tag Archives | jim crane
Crane: Triple-A ball could be coming to Houston area
Jim Crane says the Houston Astros could be part of a move to place a Triple-A Pacific Coast League team in The Woodlands, an affluent Houston suburb, reversing the decision made by Drayton McLane, Jr. to oppose any such moves. “Something closer (to Houston) could certainly enhance the brand,” Crane told the Houston Chronicle. Right […]
Crane: We’re still evaluating ballpark changes for 2013
It’s been a pretty miserable year for the Houston Astros, but owner Jim Crane says fans should appreciate changes for 2013, including new uniforms and possible ballpark changes. Some of the changes are final; some are not. Uniform changes have been submitted to Major League Baseball for approval — which, barring something extraordinary, should appear […]
New Astros uniforms: Bring back the orange!
The Houston Astros will have new uniforms for 2013, and owner Jim Crane says they’ll be bringing back colors of the past — and given team history, we’re thinking orange. Crane told the Houston Chronicle “some of the colors in the past” would be part of a new design, chosen after months of design and focus-group testing: “We’ve […]
Astros to bring backs Colt .45s jersey this season
To mark the team’s 50th anniversary, the ever-colorful Houston Astros will be bringing back Houston Colt .45 jerseys for two April games and sport other retro unis throughout the year. The team will don the jerseys at their April 10 and April 20 games at Minute Maid Park. The jersey, worn when the team was […]
Luhnow new GM in Houston
Spurned by first choice Andrew Friedman, the Houston Astros pivoted quickly and named Jeff Luhnow, VP of scouting and player development for the St. Louis Cardinals, as the team’s new general manager. Friedman, the successful GM of the Tampa Bay Rays and a Houston native, passed on the chance to take the reins under the […]
Crane cleans Astros house; Wade, Smith let go
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane didn’t waste any time in launching his makeover of the struggling franchise, firing team president Tal Smith and GM Ed Wade. The moves were far from unexpected: the team has struggled in recent years and Crane signalled an intent to rebuild things via the draft and a youth movement, […]
MLB approves Astros sale to Crane group; team to shift to AL in 2013
MLB formally approved the sale of the Houston Astros to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane, as the team preps for a move to the American League in 2013. The sale price for the team was $610 million, according to the Houston Chronicle, some $70 million less than the original sales agreement between […]
With MLB realignment, it looks like the Astros
With MLB Commissioner Bud Selig saying he wants realignment by 2013 and Jim Crane negotiating a price break on his purchase of the team, it’s all but certain the Houston Astros are moving to the American League West. Selig made his comments about realignment during his annual World Series press conference, held before Game Four. […]
2012 MLB schedule released; no realignment or playoff expansion
Major League Baseball released a 2012 schedule this morning, with no changes in the division or league lineups, no expansion of wild cards in the playoffs and a regular season beginning with a Miami Marlins game on April 4. Yes, that’s right: the Miami Marlins (nee the Florida Marlins) will open the 2012 MLB season […]
Crane bid for Astros raises red flags for MLB
Though a group led by Jim Crane has agreed to pay Drayton McLane $680 million for the Houston Astros, MLB approval of the sale isn’t a given, as some issues within baseball and in court may cause MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to give the deal close scrutiny. Crane has been an active bidder for MLB […]
Crane group lands Astros
Jim Crane, who lost out to Nolan Ryan in a bid for the Texas Rangers, has perhaps the next best thing for someone in the Lone Star State: he’s heading a local group buying the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane in a deal announced today. No word yet on the purchase price, though we expect […]
We’re shocked — shocked! — to see Astros on the market
We were amused to see the MLB.com headline this morning: “McLane reportedly puts Astros on market.” Well, duh: he’s been trying to sell the Houston Astros since 2008, and the only thing different is that he’s hired an investment firm to help out. By our reckoning McLane has had the team on the market for […]