There’s trouble down on the ranch in Ranger land. After bringing the ball club up from oblivion to near the top of the MLB standings, former Ranger star pitcher Nolan Ryan may be on his way out as CEO for the Texas baseball team.
Although Rangers co-owner Bob Simpson went on record to deny that Ryan has in any way been marginalized or suffered any loss of his former power with the Rangers, club ownership recently announced that Jon Daniels was promoted to president of baseball operations and that Rick George was promoted to president of business operations leaving Ryan in some doubt as to what actually remained for him to be the CEO of as these two guys seem to be running the show now in Arlington.
If it is true that Nolan Ryan has been stripped of his power, then it is easy to predict that a man with his pride will probably resign even though he still has three years remaining on his contract as CEO of the Rangers.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ryan said, ““Over the last week, Ray Davis, Bob Simpson, and I have been in discussion and met in-person. The conversations have been productive, and we have discussed my role as CEO of the organization. We agreed these discussions will continue as we go forward.”
Dallas media star Randy Galloway, who is among Ryan’s most loyal supporters, reported that Ryan is not happy with the recent reductions in his power base and the situation is not a healthy one for the Rangers who are in spring training at Surprise, Arizona. If the CEO ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy, as the saying goes.
Nolan Ryan now is faced with the choice of staying with the Rangers making millions of dollars a year to head the team’s depth chart, provide wise counsel and remain the iconic face of the Ranger organization which has never had this kind of success in the history of the club.
Now, Nolan Ryan is a very smart man. He also probably has all the money already in the bank that he will ever need. He is also a genuine hero in the state of Texas where they grow their heroes big and strong.
As a close friend speculated, “I think he will quit.” “He was a figurehead before with the Rangers under Tom Hicks and he won’t go back to that again.”
