Spent the 8th inning of yesterday's Seattle Mariners 6, Texas Rangers 3 Spring Training exhibition - Neftali Feliz was very sketchy - soaking in the Surprise, Arizona sunshine and getting to know new owner Chuck Greenberg.
After years of being alienated by Tom Hicks, you're going to love this dude.
Long story short: He wears jeans and Asics sneakers, drives an Escalade, is mulling over a new permanent address in Southlake or Westlake, is a steak lover and a connoisseur of Southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker. On his most recent flight from Pittsburgh to Dallas what did he listen to?
Johnny Cash.
Only thing I can find not to like about the 48-year-old so far is that he was a giddy 14-year-old who attended Super Bowl X and cheered his Steelers over our Cowboys.
"I respect Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys," he says sheepishly, "but ... "
Oh yeah, he's got money. And he's willing to spend it. He's a fan who cherishes winning as much as a businessman merely fixated on profit.
Feel that breath of fresh air yet?
As for Hicks' role with the team in the wake of the sale that Greenberg said he expects to be finalized by April 1:
"I expect him to make a smooth transition into the role of being one of our biggest fans," says Greenberg. "I look forward to his support and enthusiasm."
In other words, step aside. Dee-licious.
