Talked to former Texas Rangers' CEO and managing general partner Chuck Greenberg yesterday.
You know, the guy who helped usher Tom Hicks out of the franchise, who dragged the team out of bankruptcy, who spearheaded the out-bidding of Mark Cuban in court and who hand-picked Nolan Ryan as a crucial part of the franchise before earlier this month being unceremoniously shoved out the door because of philosophical differences. We haven't forgotten him already have we?
Certainly not stop-the-presses stuff - he eloquently side-steps all direct Rangers questions - but these are, far as I can tell, his first public comments (not counting Facebook) since being forced to resign from the franchise on March 11.
The highlights:
*He has no plans to attend Friday's Opening Day at Rangers Ballpark or Saturday's game before which the Rangers will receive their 2010 American League Championship rings. "I'll be in town," he said. "Just not at the games."
*Asked about his annulment from the Rangers? "Sorry, I gotta take the high road."
*Even though he's a Pittsburgh guy, he and his family are going to remain in the metroplex and live in the house in Westlake he had built recently. "When we moved down here it was for the long haul," he said. "We love it here."
*His March Madness bracket, like everyone else's, is completely busted. "I came this close to picking VCU against the Butler in the Final Four," he joked.
*As for what he'll do next, now that his dream-come-true of co-owning and running a Major League Baseball team has been shattered? "I don't know. But if you've got any suggestions let's go grab a beer. I've got lots of free time."
And with that Greenberg departed for a few days of R&R in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Just guessing, but he might take in a baseball game.
Just so happens that he still owns the Class A minor league team there. Just so happens that the Pelicans became the Rangers' High-A affiliate over the winter. And just so happens that a certain Major League team is making history Tuesday night at Greenberg's BB&T Coastal Field.
Yep, the Texas Rangers.
