Reid Ryan "strong candidate" for Astros President

That was what, like the 5th worst PR out of the Astros camp? Don't make Postolos a scapegoat when the real goat is out there hiring lawyers to send out press releases.

 

Did I say he was the one and only culprit? Just pointing out that he isn't innocent. Crane certainly needs a muzzle and I'm hoping Ryan gets rid of this PR director who has done nothing but f*** up since her hiring.

 

This blurb on ESPN.com strikes me as funny:

"Reid Ryan's father played nine of his 27 major league seasons with the Astros, and is baseball's all-time strikeout leader. He is currently president and CEO of the Texas Rangers."

 

Alyson Footer ‏@alysonfooter 12m
There is elation over at the offices at Minute Maid Park with the Reid Ryan hiring

 

Great hire. Good for PR and a baseball guy first.

Crane has been a PR nightmare, but ultimately on 2 things really matter getting CSN on TV , and winning.

If the astros become a regular playoff contender fans will come back in droves no matter the stupid crap Crane says.

 

Don't now anything about the guy but let's hope he's able to get the business side back on track. It's a shame because the baseball side is kicking ass but the business side is ****ting all over the good they're doing.

 

The minor league system is definitely on the right track, not sure i'd say the baseball side is kicking ass for a team on pace to set a record for losses though . . .like the path the baseball side is on, just sayin

 

I'd say it is. They could certainly have signed some vets to look better out there but there just wouldnt be any point to it. They could have tried to sign Kyle Lohse or Scott Kazmir or even Berkman. They'd be better but the only thing that would really change is their draft spot. Nobody is going to show up to watch because we signed any of these guys.

 

OMG, PR friendly comments.

I don't think we've seen those since the official uni announcements.

 

I guess buying the Hooks from Ryan-Sanders probably puts an end to any hope of getting Round Rock back and continues the (stupid) plan of putting a team in Montgomery County.

Also interesting to note that his official title is "President of Business Operations". I wonder if Luhnow is about to get a promotion.

 

Out or curiousity...why do you think the team in Montgomery County is a stupid idea?

 

I'm not sure why it would mean we won't get RR back.

Problem with RR is, the Texas Rangers have them through 2018, which means either go ahead with Woodlands plan, or wait until 2018. Astros buying the Hooks prevents ever losing CC like they did RR, and also allows Ryan to stay in control of CC.

I don't expect Luhnow to get promoted to President of Baseball Operations. This will however fuel rumors about Nolan being brought in next season as CEO and President of Baseball Operations. Effectively, Luhnow is the President of Baseball Operations.

 

The Astros brand is suffering big time outside of Greater Houston. It would be an opportunity to grow the brand and bring fans back into the fold that have bailed for the Rangers over the past few years. Ideally, they'd buy a PCL team that is struggling (New Orleans is one, I think) and move the franchise to San Antonio. You gain nothing at all buy having a team 30 minutes away. It's much of the same argument I have about the Texans. They've done NOTHING to grow awareness of the team outside of Houston. NOTHING. When they do their caravan through central Texas, we're lucky to get a couple of practice squad guys and assistant trainers. Why not have training camp in Austin? The Oilers were big here for a long time because they were good for a while and because they had camp in San Marcos.

The Astros were huge here in Austin largely because of the ties to the Express...and to the success on the field. Now they have neither and they're completely ignoring what is a dwindling fan base.

Plus, if I'm a moderate baseball fan who just wants to go to a game and live north of Beltway 8, I'm going to go to the cheaper and easier to get to option. With Exxon and all of the other major corporations moving to The Woodlands, I'm buying a box at the stadium I can get to in minutes rather than driving to MMP. I think it's going to have an effect on (albeit probably minor) attendance at MMP. But why do something that could affect what is already a horrible daily attendance?

 

I think the analogy is to Frisco with the Rangers..and that doesn't seem to have had a negative effect on attendance in Arlington.

There is a minor league franchise in San Antonio currently connected to the Padres.

Ultimately, I'm of the opinion that once they start winning at MMP, the fans around the state will be there. We'll see. I really like the idea of having a minor league team nearby affiliated with the 'stros.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> announce president Reid Ryan will handle all business operations, while GM Jeff Luhnow retains control of baseball ops.</p>&mdash; Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/335471696532365312">May 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In news release, @<a href="https://twitter.com/robertreidryan">robertreidryan</a> says sale of <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23cchooks">#cchooks</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23astros">#astros</a> "ensures that Double-A baseball stays in CC for years as Astros affilate."</p>&mdash; Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregRajan/status/335471060399042562">May 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23cchooks">#cchooks</a> prez Ken Schrom says Ryan made sure CC will be Astros affiliate "until a meteor hits earth." Sale will be finalized in fall.</p>&mdash; Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregRajan/status/335471569012928514">May 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Schrom says <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23cchooks">#cchooks</a> officials will report to Reid Ryan in Houston.</p>&mdash; Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregRajan/status/335471649518387200">May 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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My sister works for the Astros and said that Reid Ryan is well liked by employees in the minors.... you have NO idea how happy they are that GP is gone and very happy that Reid is getting a shot.

 

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane told FOX 26 Sports he signed Reid Ryan to a three-year contract to take over as Astros president of business operations.

Ryan joins the Astros from Ryan Sanders baseball where he was president and CEO and ran the Round Rock Express and Corpus Christi Hooks minor league franchises.

"We wanted Reid to be here," Crane said. "We worked hard to get him here and we gave him some runway to get the job done and prove what he can do.

"We've signed him up for three years. It's just a standard deal. Gives him some security. Lets his family get focused in the community. We'll certainly work beyond that. I've seen him in action. I've seen how good he is and that's why I wanted him."

Ryan said he is comfortable with a three-year contract with the Astros.

"I'm excited about it," Ryan said. "I'm going to give this my full effort and we'll see what happens.

"I've got some ideas and I think the time frame could really match up well. Within three years Jim is going to know if I'm the right guy or not. I've been around this game long enough to know that once you step up you've got to either produce or they got to go to the next guy. I want to make sure I can add value here. I'm just a big believer that if you can bring something to the table you'll bring it. If you can't you need to move out of the way and let the next person do it.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to be the guy that can bring some value to this organization."

 

I agree that the affect on attendance would be minor, at worst.

My point is, they are doing nothing and have lost unbelievable amounts of ground to the Rangers over the past 5-8 years. What was clearly the favorite team in the state, probably even in the DFW area, is now a distant 2nd, or worse when you consider the amount of Braves, Cardinals, and Cubs fans here. They need to stop that. Winning cures much...but actually showing an interest in other parts of the state helps, too. Getting the games back on tv wouldn't hurt. I sincerely hope they're negotiating with Time Warner just as much as they are with Uverse and the satellite companies. TW gets you back in Austin, SA, and DFW.