The Sports Xchange

Texas Rangers announce plan to raise railing heights

The Texas Rangers will raise the height of the rails at Rangers Ballpark in
Arlington to improve safety after fan Shannon Stone fell to his death.

Stone, 39, toppled over the railing in left-center July 7 as he reached for
ball thrown by outfielder Josh Hamilton. He fell nearly 20 feet.

The Rangers are raising the heights of all the rails in the front row of
seating to “the highest standard in the U.S. at this time,” according to a
release.

“The safety of our fans is our top priority,” Rangers CEO and president
Nolan Ryan said. “The initiatives we are announcing today for Rangers Ballpark
in Arlington will help to ensure that we meet that priority.”

The team will add signage and new rules for fans, including a sign that
reads: “Do not lean, sit on, or stand against rail.”

In other Rangers news, Ryan was released from a Houston hospital on
Tuesday, and will rest at home for a few days before resuming his duties as
Texas Rangers CEO and president.

The Hall-of-Fame pitcher underwent precautionary tests Monday that showed
no new developments in regard to his heart condition, the team said, and he will
continue to be treated with medication.

Ryan, 64, felt discomfort early Sunday morning, and checked into the
hospital. He had a double-bypass operation in 2000 and has a family history of
heart disease.

He was supposed to travel with the team to Anaheim, Calif., for a
three-game series starting Tuesday. The All-time leader with seven no-hitters
and 5,714 strikeouts, who spent eight years with the California Angels in the
1970s, was scheduled to throw out the first pitch Tuesday night as part of the
Angels’ Hall of Fame inductions.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The first American League championship
ring for the Texas Rangers will be presented to the family of the
late Tom Vandergriff, the former Arlington mayor who lured the team
from Washington nearly four decades ago.
Vandergriff’s family will be given a 2010 championship ring
during the team’s welcome home luncheon March 31, the day before
the Rangers’ season opener at home against Boston. That is also two
days before the players, coaches and staff receive their rings in
an pregame ceremony.
Rangers CEO and president Nolan Ryan says it is fitting that the
first ring will go to Vandergriff’s family.
The Rangers also plan a moment of silence in Vandergriff’s
memory before the season opener.

By Stephen Hawkins

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers abruptly announced Friday that CEO and managing partner Chuck Greenberg is leaving the organization, three weeks before the AL champions open the season and just seven months after leading the purchase of the team in a dramatic bankruptcy court showdown.

In a statement released by the Rangers, Greenberg indicated that he was leaving because of differences between he, team president Nolan Ryan and board co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson.

“Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the co-chairmen and I have somewhat different styles. While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what’s right for the franchise,” Greenberg said. “Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on. I do so with a heavy heart.”

Ryan will add the title of CEO and oversee all baseball and business operations for the organization, reporting directly to the team’s board of directors. The Hall of Fame pitcher, who finished his 27-season playing career with the Rangers, became their team president in February 2008.

In a joint statement, Davis and Simpson touted Greenberg’s hard work and “unwavering commitment” to the team and what was accomplished in their short time owning the club.

“We thank Chuck for his many contributions to the organization, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the statement read. “At the same time, we are very confident in the continued success and further development of the Texas Rangers under Nolan’s leadership.”

Greenberg, a Pittsburgh attorney who recently moved to North Texas, didn’t return messages left by The Associated Press.

Greenberg, who had only a small ownership stake in the team, and Ryan were the most visible figures during the prolonged process of purchasing the Rangers from Tom Hicks. After entering into exclusive negotiations with Hicks in December 2009, an initial agreement was reached the following month.

But the acquisition was delayed and then ended up in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The team’s May filing included a plan to sell to the 18-investor group led by Greenberg and Ryan, but angry creditors successfully argued to reopen the bidding.

The messy court fight dragged on for 11 weeks and the Greenberg-Ryan group won with a bid of about $590 million.

“Chuck’s determination during an extremely long and complicated sales process was crucial in delivering a positive outcome for our ownership group last August,” Ryan said .

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers abruptly announced Friday that CEO and managing partner Chuck Greenberg is leaving the organization three weeks before the AL champions open the season and just seven months after leading the purchase of the team in a dramatic bankruptcy court showdown.

In a statement released by the Rangers, Greenberg indicated that he was leaving because of differences between he, team president Nolan Ryan and board co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson.

“Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the co-chairmen and I have somewhat different styles. While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what’s right for the franchise,” Greenberg, Pittsburgh attorney who recently moved in North Texas, said. “Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on. I do so with a heavy heart.”

Ryan will add the title of CEO and oversee all baseball and business operations for the organization, reporting directly to the team’s board of directors. The Hall of Fame pitcher, who finished his 27-season playing career with the Rangers, became their team president in February 2008.

Ryan was scheduled to join Davis and Simpson, the largest investors in the ownership group, in a news conference at Rangers Ballpark later Friday to discuss Greenberg’s departure.

In a joint statement, Davis and Simpson touted Greenberg’s hard work and “unwavering commitment” to the team and what was accomplished in their short time owning the club.

“We thank Chuck for his many contributions to the organization, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the statement read. “At the same time, we are very confident in the continued success and further development of the Texas Rangers under Nolan’s leadership.”

Greenberg didn’t return messages left by The Associated Press.

Greenberg, who had only a small ownership stake in the team, and Ryan were the most visible figures during the prolonged process of purchasing the Rangers from Tom Hicks. After entering into exclusive negotiations with Hicks in December 2009, an initial agreement was reached the following month.

But the acquisition was delayed and then ended up in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The team’s May filing included a plan to sell to the 18-investor group led by Greenberg and Ryan, but angry creditors successfully argued to reopen the bidding. The messy court fight dragged on for 11 weeks and included an auction showdown with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban last August.

The Greenberg-Ryan group won with a bid valued at about $590 million.

“Chuck’s determination during an extremely long and complicated sales process was crucial in delivering a positive outcome for our ownership group last August,” Ryan said in the team’s release. “We owe him a great deal of thanks for those efforts and I wish him only the best.”

The day after Major League Baseball formally approved the sale, Greenberg and Ryan announced lower prices for concessions, parking and merchandise at Rangers Ballpark.

When Greenberg wasn’t sitting in the front row with Ryan through the end of the regular season and in the playoffs, he often was sitting in different areas of the ballpark with fans.

In the weeks after the World Series, which the Rangers lost in five games to San Francisco, the team added a new chief operating officer and three vice presidents.

Greenberg in December announced $13 million in video, technology and audio updates for Rangers Ballpark this season, including a new 5,000-square-foot HD screen high above right field. It was the first in a series of scheduled improvements planned at the 16-year-old stadium over the next few years.

Under the ownership arrangement, Ryan’s role was to oversee all baseball operations with Greenberg in charge of the business side.

The Rangers this winter moved their Triple-A franchise to Round Rock, Texas, a natural fit because of location and its ownership by the Ryan family. The franchise’s High-A team was shifted to Myrtle Beach, S.C., one of the two minor league teams owned by Greenberg.

After leaving spring training in Arizona, the Rangers play an exhibition game in Myrtle Beach on March 29, then play at Round Rock the next day before returning to Arlington for the April 1 regular season opener against Boston.

Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

First published on March 11, 2011 at 3:20 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers abruptly announced Friday that CEO and managing partner Chuck Greenberg is leaving the organization three weeks before the AL champions open the season and just seven months after leading the purchase of the team in a dramatic bankruptcy court showdown.

In a statement released by the Rangers, Greenberg indicated that he was leaving because of differences between he, team president Nolan Ryan and board co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson.

“Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the co-chairmen and I have somewhat different styles. While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what’s right for the franchise,” Greenberg said. “Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on. I do so with a heavy heart.”

Ryan will add the title of CEO and oversee all baseball and business operations for the organization, reporting directly to the team’s board of directors. The Hall of Fame pitcher, who finished his 27-season playing career with the Rangers, became their team president in February 2008.

Ryan was scheduled to join Davis and Simpson, the largest investors in the ownership group, in a news conference at Rangers Ballpark later Friday to discuss Greenberg’s departure.

In a joint statement, Davis and Simpson touted Greenberg’s hard work and “unwavering commitment” to the team and what was accomplished in their short time owning the club.

“We thank Chuck for his many contributions to the organization, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the statement read. “At the same time, we are very confident in the continued success and further development of the Texas Rangers under Nolan’s leadership.”

Greenberg, a Pittsburgh attorney who recently moved into a new home in North Texas, didn’t return messages left by The Associated Press.

Greenberg, who had only a small ownership stake in the team, and Ryan were the most visible figures during the prolonged process of purchasing the Rangers from Tom Hicks. After entering into exclusive negotiations with Hicks in December 2009, an initial agreement was reached the following month.

But the acquisition was delayed and then ended up in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The team’s May filing included a plan to sell to the 18-investor group led by Greenberg and Ryan, but angry creditors successfully argued to reopen the bidding. The messy court fight dragged on for 11 weeks and included an auction showdown with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban last August.

The Greenberg-Ryan group won with a bid valued at about $590 million.

“Chuck’s determination during an extremely long and complicated sales process was crucial in delivering a positive outcome for our ownership group last August,” Ryan said in the team’s release. “We owe him a great deal of thanks for those efforts and I wish him only the best.”

The day after Major League Baseball formally approved the sale, Greenberg and Ryan announced lower prices for concessions, parking and merchandise at Rangers Ballpark.

When Greenberg wasn’t sitting in the front row with Ryan through the end of the regular season and in the playoffs, he often was sitting in different areas of the ballpark with fans.

In the weeks after the World Series, which the Rangers lost in five games to San Francisco, the team added a new chief operating officer and three vice presidents.

Greenberg in December announced $13 million in video, technology and audio updates for Rangers Ballpark this season, including a new 5,000-square-foot HD screen high above right field. It was the first in a series of scheduled improvements planned at the 16-year-old stadium over the next few years.

Under the ownership arrangement, Ryan’s role was to oversee all baseball operations with Greenberg in charge of the business side.

The Rangers this winter moved their Triple-A franchise to Round Rock, Texas, a natural fit because of location and its ownership by the Ryan family. The franchise’s High-A team was shifted to Myrtle Beach, S.C., one of the two minor league teams owned by Greenberg.

After leaving spring training in Arizona, the Rangers play an exhibition game in Myrtle Beach on March 29, then play at Round Rock the next day before returning to Arlington for the April 1 regular season opener against Boston.

ARLINGTON

The Texas Rangers today announced that Chuck Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer, is leaving the organization.

Team President Nolan Ryan will add the title of CEO and oversee all baseball and business operations for the organization, reporting directly to the team’s Board of Directors.

The Co-Chairmen of Rangers Baseball Express LLC, Ray Davis and Bob Simpson, issued the following statement:

“We greatly appreciate Chuck Greenberg’s hard work, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the team, our fans and the Dallas-Fort Worth communities. Chuck is a dynamic leader with superb strategic, operational and business development skills, and under his and Nolan Ryan’s direction, we have accomplished a great deal in a short time. We thank Chuck for his many contributions to the organization, and wish him well in his future endeavors. At the same time, we are very confident in the continued success and further development of the Texas Rangers under Nolan’s leadership.”

Further, the Co-Chairmen stated, “Chuck’s departure will have no effect on the team’s operation and we look forward to working with Nolan Ryan as this organization continues to grow and prosper. The baseball group has demonstrated its quest for excellence under the skillful leadership of Jon Daniels. On the business side, we also have a deep bench of experienced executives who always put our fans first and will ensure our ambitious plans for the 2011 season stay on track. We appreciate Chuck’s contributions and wish him all the best.”

Greenberg said, “I have great respect for the Texas Rangers franchise and am enormously proud of all we have accomplished together since August. Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the Co-Chairmen, and I have somewhat different styles. While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what’s right for the franchise. Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on. I do so with a heavy heart, but with every confidence in the direction that the new management team is taking the Rangers and, with Nolan at the helm, I know this franchise will continue to thrive and reach even greater heights both on and off the field.”

“Chuck’s determination during an extremely long and complicated sales process was crucial in delivering a positive outcome for our ownership group last August,” commented Ryan, who originally joined the Rangers as President on February 6, 2008. “We owe him a great deal of thanks for those efforts and I wish him only the best.

Ryan added, “I am excited about the future of the Texas Rangers in so many ways. Our front office is comprised of talented and passionate people who come to work every day with the goal of making us the best organization in Major League Baseball, on and off the field.”

Rangers Baseball Express LLC completed its purchase of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club and related assets from Texas Rangers Baseball Partners on August 12, 2010 and is the sixth owner in club history.