Taking the Field

Nolan Ryan and his sons score big in the baseball business.
By: 
John Egan

Photo courtesy of Round Rock ExpressAn eerie sky hangs over The Dell Diamond, home of the Round Rock Express minor-league baseball team. Up in a second-floor media box, Hall of Fame pitching legend Nolan Ryan munches on a piece of pizza. For more than an hour, stormy weather has delayed the start of the Express’ 2007 season finale.

To the left of “The Ryan Express,” as Nolan was known in his glory days, sit his two sons, Reid and Reese. All three have a vested interest in what’s happening—or not happening—on the field. Nolan is one of the principal owners of the team. The eldest son, Reid, is CEO and co-owner, and Reese is chief financial officer and co-owner. (Reid and Reese’s sister, Wendy, isn’t involved in baseball.)

While his sons head down to the field to consult with the umpires and the team manager about the weather, Nolan appears relaxed. Though his boys don’t have his talent for the game, Nolan trusts his sons at the helm. “They both have a passion for the game,” their father says. “They’ve grown up around baseball, and they understand the game. They’ve been around enough stadiums and seen enough operations that did it right and ones that didn’t do it right.” The verdict from the field: Weather radar indicates it’s safe to play ball.

Reid and Reese appear to be doing it right. When it comes to the business of baseball, these two are as dependable as a couple of well-worn baseball gloves.

In 2007, the Express averaged 9,465 fans per game, placing its attendance among the top for minor-league baseball franchises. Two years ago, the Express was awarded the Larry MacPhail Trophy, given annually to recognize a minor-league baseball team’s outstanding promotional and community service efforts. In 2004, Minor League News named the Round Rock Express its Business of the Year. The Round Rock Express ownership group was chosen from among more than 600 professional franchises in minor-league baseball, basketball, hockey and football.

“Everything they do is first-class,” Nancy Yawn, director of the Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, says of the Ryans. “They have exceeded expectations with the stadium and just with the way they operate.”

Reid says he and his fellow Express executives strive to be the “gold standard” for baseball ownership. “We want to be considered model owners who look out for everybody—the employees, the fans, the players, the sponsors,” he says.

Early innings

The Round Rock Express debuted in 2000, two years after voters in the Austin suburb approved spending $13 million in hotel-motel tax revenue to help finance a stadium for the baseball team. The Ryans, along with former Houston Astros owner Don Sanders and others, bought the minor-league baseball franchise in Jackson, Miss., and relocated it to Round Rock.

It was Reid’s dream to bring a team to Central Texas. Both he and Reese played baseball for their alma mater, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. After graduation, Reid spent three rather unremarkable seasons as a minor-league pitcher. Reese didn’t want to pursue a post-college pitching career. The brothers moved on to other business ventures. Reid then decided he wanted to work for himself and hatched the idea of buying a minor-league franchise and moving it to the Austin area. Austin and Georgetown were in contention for the team, but the owners settled on the booming ’burb of Round Rock, home to computer giant Dell.

Reid drafted Reese for the Round Rock Express front office in 2000. The team needed a chief financial officer, and Reese fit the bill. “After being away from the game for two years, I really began to miss it and realized how special the game of baseball is,” says Reese, who graduated from TCU in 1998.

Reese’s mastery of money matters, Reid’s big-picture vision and the baseball operations know-how of Jay Miller, Round Rock’s president and chief operating officer, fuel the Express management engine. Miller says of the Ryan brothers, “They really complement each other well. They play to each other’s strengths.”

Nolan leaves day-to-day affairs to his sons and Miller, advising them only on major issues. Nolan says it’s not his nature to be a micro-manager. Miller, who’s been with the Express since the outset, calls Nolan the organization’s figurehead. Certainly, the 6-foot, 2-inch Hall of Famer has earned that title: the 61-year-old pitched from 1966 to 1993 with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. After 15 years off the mound, Nolan was hired as president of the major-league Texas Rangers in February; he’s hanging onto his role with the minor-league outfit, though. The Rangers job represents “a unique opportunity. It’s probably the only time it would present itself in my lifetime,” Nolan says. “It’s another page in my baseball career.”

Unlike so many current big-leaguers, the pages of Nolan’s baseball book aren’t smudged. “Anything Nolan is associated with just automatically brings you instant credibility,” Miller says. “Just the Ryan name in general brings you instant credibility.”

That credibility aided the Ryans in landing a minor-league team for Corpus Christi in 2005. The deal came about after the Ryan-Sanders squad bought a Triple-A minor league franchise in Edmonton, Canada. Then, in a bit of business sleight of hand, the Triple-A team morphed into the Round Rock Express, and the Express transformed into the Corpus Christi Hooks. Both teams are affiliated with the major-league Houston Astros.

Double Play
These days, the Ryan brothers and Miller split their time between the Round Rock and Corpus Christi franchises. Reid and Reese hold the same positions with both teams; Miller is COO in Corpus Christi, but not president, as he is in Round Rock. Although the two teams are a fair distance apart geographically, they’re next-door neighbors when it comes to customer service. The Ryan brothers and Miller regularly greet and listen to the fans and employees; in fact, Reid presses the flesh better than most politicians. Their conduct reflects their mission of fostering a clean, fun environment for affordable family entertainment.

“I encourage people’s complaints as much as I do their praise. It’s feedback,” Reid says. “Whatever they want is what we need to do. Our goal is to be the best operation we can be. If we’re being the best operation we can be, then financially we’re going to have success.”

Could that success lead one day to ownership of a major-league team? The Ryans say it’s a possibility. They don’t envision Austin—the largest city in Texas without a major-league sports team—gaining a major-league club within the next five years. But if the right ownership opportunity arose somewhere, the Ryans say they’d explore it. For the time being, Reid and Reese, who are in their 30s but look almost like fresh-faced fraternity boys, have two minor-league franchises to run. Reese says they’re fortunate to be able to make a living by making people happy.

“Reid and I are both young guys,” Reese says. “We plan on being in baseball a long time.”
“We want to be in baseball not because we want to flip [a team] and make money,” adds Reid. “We’re in it because baseball has given our family everything we have, and we love the game of baseball.”
 

Comments

Wish there’s a way out for

Wish there’s a way out for all of us, is there? I hope so.
abercrombie uk abercrombie uk
abercrombie and fitch uk abercrombie and fitch uk
abercrombie fitch uk abercrombie fitch uk
Beautiful day, good weather, good mood, then a warm feeling, because you
abercrombieabercrombie
abercrombie and fitch abercrombie and fitch
abercrombie clothingabercrombie clothing
Why, why, why, a little bad mood, thinking of you
abercrombie fitch clothing abercrombie fitch clothing
abercrombie and fitch clothing abercrombie and fitch clothing
abercrombie outlet abercrombie outlet
abercrombie and fitch outletabercrombie and fitch outlet
abercrombie online abercrombie online
When you think of happy, unhappy or think of you when you smile in my mind wander
Love is a feeling, not only on the material to meet, but also to the spiritual care and stick

UGG Bailey Button Triplet

UGG Bailey Button Triplet Boots are all time favorite women's bailey button triplet boots footwear favored by many people worldwide for their versatility and looks chic.Many prefer these sheepskin Ashur Boots sale shoes to be stylish and comfort features that charms,sheepskin mini boots,women's short boots,ugg classic tall fancy and sheepskin Roseberry Boots as well as eases your feet with utmost convenience. Earlier, people used to wear discount sheepskin Nightfall Boots to keep feet warm in cold weather but now are time for modern people prefer to get a great sheepskin Knightsbridge Boots look.

dfg

اجمل العاب 2011 تجدين وصفات وتعليم الطبخ في العاب طبخ جديدة واجمل العاب بنات هاي و العاب باربي من قسم العاب باربي للبنات و الفتيات و اجمل العاب الاثارة و المغامرات في العاب اكشن و العاب للاطفال و البنوتات الجديدة من العاب دورا احدث العاب للفتيات و فلاش كرتون الاطفال و احدث العاب تلبيس عرائس التلبيس للبنات الجديدة و لعبة العرائس ميك اب و العاب تلبيس واخر صيحات الموضة من تلبيس البنات في العاب تلبيس جديدة العاب بنات جديدة العاب شيقة و العاب سبونج بوب ممتعة مع العاب سونيك سونك الجديدة و اجمل العاب المغامرات و الاكشن في العاب ماريو سوبر ماريو الجديدةو العاب طبخ رائعة ويمكن لكي تختاري ايضا تليون الصور و الفنانين في العاب تلوين مميزة و العاب ميك اب مكياج للبنات جديدة ايضا العاب البازل و تركيب الصور لعبة رائعة من العاب بازل و العاب السباق و الدرجات فى العاب سيارات مغامرات السباق للسيارات و الاجمل العاب ترتيب لترتيب المنازل و المطابخ مع العاب براتز رائعة العاب شمس - العاب تلبيس وميك اب - العاب ميك اب وتلبيس - العاب تلبيس 2011 - العاب بنات 2011 - العاب تلبيس بنات

For examples of air jordan 14

For examples of air jordan 14 great impressionist art, air jordan 60 an obvious choice is Claude jordan 15 Monet. His Impression jordan retro shoes Sunrise air jordan 3 led to the nike air jordans naming of the movement jordan 18 and it is itself a great gucci shoes example of womens jordans impressionist art, with its jordans for sale short visible brush jordans for women strokes, focus on color over jordan true flight lines and overall feel that jordan 6 leave you with a clear air jordans for sale impression of the jordan retro 11 beauty that the jordan retro 4 artist saw. Another great Monet air jordan 10 example is his air jordan fusions 5 series of paintings, jordan dub zeros like of the House of Parliament jordan 8 jordan 11 in London, where he painted authentic jordans jordan 23 the same subject numerous times in order to explore the effect of light on that same subject. Here again we see the short delicate impressionist brush strokes, and the focus on color and light over exact lines. These are among the defining traits of the impressionist art.

Windows 7 Key

Unicom negotiations with Windows 7 Key Apple insider: holding a small Windows 7 Product Key edge operator side of the blackboard Office 2010 Key talks The most difficult negotiations in Office 2010 Product Key the last year. Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key Turning to the introduction of Office 2007 Key Apple's iPhone, one of twists and turns, Office 2007 Product Key China Unicom, Li Gang, Microsoft Office 2007 Product Key deputy general manager is still deep feelings. Office 2007 No doubt, the official Office 2007 Key business of China Unicom3G anniversary time, Office Ultimate 2007 Key "iPhone" is the word most closely with. Office Standard 2007 Key For Apple iPhone 3G with the help of LenovoChina,said Li Gang, Office Enterprise 2007 Key the user has a very good experience 3G is the iPhone, China Unicom 3G Office Professional 2007 Key this is a very good publicity. He said, iPhone4 sales are hot. Office Professional Plus 2007 Key Three days, the first shipment sold nearly 10 million units are basically finished,is now basically out of stock.

Fantastic read, I just passed

Fantastic read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he in fact bought me lunch because I found it for him…. smile.. So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!But yeah Many thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and enjoy learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.|tiffany|fm transmitter|cheap custom nhl hockey jerseys for sale|girls stocking legs

Welcome to nfl jerseys

Welcome to nfl jerseys wholesale site and nfl shop,we provide you with many new nfl jerseys.some as nfl youth jerseys ,NHL Hockey Jersey, Mlb Baseball Jerseys,
nfl china jerseys, jerseys and so on!please do not hesitate to contact us.

Louis Vuitton & Chanel

how to be a fashion icon do you want to do a fashion icon?and how can you become a fashion icon?fiist,you should have good feeling about the fashion information,you should know the most popular brands such as canada goose and canada goose clothes.your clothes should change as soon as the popularity does. which brand is the hotest on dress,canada goose outwear or canada goose parka?which brand is being loved by shoes lover,canada goose or canada goose jackets? which will be this fall's hot brand,canada goose outwear or canada goose parka?finally,do you preparing for them?Louis Vuitton

Wedding dresses

While keeping your figure in mind when choosing evening gowns, you should never forget another important thing, that is which colour looks best for you and will make a splash in the wedding ceremony with a wedding dresses? What are the most fashionable colors this year?Elegant prom dresses bridal gowns designer wedding dresses bridesmaid dresses Quinceanera Dresses are not only decided by their unique style design, but also their fabrics and colors. A white wedding is a norm that have been used for a long time. And white evening dresses are still regarded as one of the purest and the most elegant.Blue, the color of the sky and the ocean, is one of the most popular colors. It cause a effect that is cool, peaceful and tranquil. So blue Discount Evening Dresses are suitable for some parties or wedding on the beach.

Dresses Wholesale

a line bridesmaid dressessweetheart bridesmaid dresses
chiffon bridesmaid dresses
strapless quinceanera dresses
tulle quinceanera dresses
ball gown quinceanera dresses
satin bridesmaid dresses
sexy evening dresses
sheath evening dresses
sweetheart evening dresses
a line cocktail dresses
taffeta cocktail dresses
chic cocktail dresses
sweetheart cocktail dresses
prom evening dresses
mermaid evening dresses
halter evening dresses
hot sale cocktail dresses
hot sale evening dresses
strapless evening dresses
hot sale quinceanera dresses
sweetheart quinceanera dresses
satin evening dresses
new style quinceanera dresses
a line quinceanera dresses
new style evening dresses
satin cocktail dresses
summer dresses
strapless dresses
a line dresses
top seller dresses
sweetheart dresses
sheath dresses
a line evening gowns
halter evening gowns
beading evening gowns
strapless bridesmaid dresses
chiffon bridesmaid dresses
strapless evening gowns
taffeta evening gowns
a line evening dresses
pink evening dresses
halter quinceanera dresses
taffeta quinceanera dresses
taffeta bridesmaid dresses
satin quinceanera dresses
empire waist evening dresses
mermaid bridesmaid dresses
v neck evening dresses
taffeta evening dresses
chiffon evening dresses
sweetheart evening gowns
satin evening gowns
v neck bridesmaid dresses
sexy halter cocktail dresses
best seller bridesmaid dresses
knee length bridesmaid dresses
best seller quinceanera dresses
sweeteart quinceanera dresses
halter bridesmaid dresses
strapless cocktail dresses
sheath bridesmaid dresses
sheath evening gowns
chiffion cocktail dresses
floor length bridesmaid dresses
organza cocktail dresses
tulle cocktail dresses
ball gown evening dresses
chic bridesmaid dresses
sexy halter quinceanera dresses
chic quinceanera dresses
strapless quinceanera dresses
red taffeta quinceanera dresses
sheath cocktail dresses
organza quinceanera dresses
cocktail length bridesmaid dresses
v neck quinceanera dresses
chiffon evening dresses
chiffon evening gowns
elegant bridesmaid dresses
elegant cocktail dresses
elegant evening gowns
a line bridesmaid dresses
elegant evening dresses
elegant quinceanera dresses
sexy v neck cocktail dresses
strapless prom dresses
v neck evening gowns
new style bridesmaid dresses
lace cocktail dresses
tulle evening dresses
strapless bridesmaid dresses
tulle quinceanera dresses
one shoulder evening gowns
taffeta bridesmaid dresses
tulle bridesmaid dresses
ball gown quinceanera dresses
beading evening dresses
hot sale bridesmaid dresses
ball gown prom dresses
mermaid evening gowns
sweetheart prom dresses
informal evening gowns
a line evening gowns
informal quinceanera dresses
ball gown bridesmaid dresses
sheath evening gowns
modest evening dresses
modest bridesmaid dresses
modest cocktail dresses
modest quinceanera dresses
satin quinceanera dresses
new style cocktail dresses
sexy v neck quinceanera dresses
one shoulder evening gowns
designer evening gowns
sexy v neck bridesmaid dresses
red taffeta quinceanera dresses
ball gown quinceanera dresses
sexy bridesmaid dresses
sexy cocktail dresses
v neck bridesmaid dresses
sexy v neck quinceanera dresses
sexy evening dresses
beading evening dresses
halter evening dresses
sexy dresses
summer dresses
summer hot sale eveing dresses
v neck eveing dresses
summer hot sale prom dresses
sheath prom dresses
sheath dresses
halter eveing dresses
wholesale cocktail dresses
tulle quinceanera dresses.

Evening dresses

Welcome to Custompromgowns and Millybridal. They are enjoying good reputation in our country. And their dresses are in high quality and reasonable price. They are specialized in wedding dresses and prom dresses in many years. There are a myriad of styles of wedding gowns dresses and discount prom dresses are at your choice for your wedding or a prom on their site. They dresses including cheap wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, quinceanera dresses , Prom Dresses 2010 , 2010 wedding dresses, bridal gowns, flower girl dresses.

prom dresses 2010

I have the perfect website for you -- Custompromgowns and Millybridal. These dresses are cheap, cinderella type, beautiful prom or homecoming dresses!There are lots of prom dresses, so it's like a one stop shopping search engine just for dresses. You can browse through dresses after narrowing them down by style, such as dress length, neckline shape, and straps. If you have a budget constraint, you can also use the price slider. There are a lot of affordable quinceanera dresses 2010 ,Bridal Party Dresses 2010 ,discount prom dresses, Dresses Wholesale, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and wedding dresses.

wedding gowns dresses

Check out Custompromgowns or Millybridal. They are prom dresses 2010 Evening Dresses Cotton Summer Dresses Plus Size Summer Dresses and wedding dresses comparison site so they include dresses from several different online retailers. It's like a dress search engine where you can filter through dresses by style instead of by designers. There's thousands available. Though the site says bridesmaid dresses 2010, I've seen lots of fabulous 2010 evening dresses on the website that would be perfect forprom but maybe a little too outrageous for weddings.The prom dresses are also very affordable and you can limit by price if that's a factor.

Wedding dresses

Custompromgowns and Millybridal were beautiful and really well made. They custom made the quinceanera dresses and wedding gowns dresses to fit me so i didn't need any fittings. They changed some of the lace detail of the bridesmaid dresses and evening dresses even cocktail dress Custom Quinceanera Gown Formal Evening Dresses Wedding Dresses 2010 to reflect the style i saw on another dress at no additional cost. They were really quick to answer any of my questions and very quick about making my dress.