Rangers CEO Greenberg leaving organization

[March 12, 2011]  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- The Texas Rangers abruptly announced Friday that CEO and managing partner Chuck Greenberg is leaving the organization three weeks before the AL champions open the season and just seven months after leading the purchase of the team in a dramatic bankruptcy court showdown.

In a statement released by the Rangers, Greenberg indicated that he was leaving because of differences between he, team president Nolan Ryan and board co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson.

"Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the co-chairmen and I have somewhat different styles. While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what's right for the franchise," Greenberg said. "Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on. I do so with a heavy heart."

Ryan will add the title of CEO and oversee all baseball and business operations for the organization, reporting directly to the team's board of directors. The Hall of Fame pitcher, who finished his 27-season playing career with the Rangers, became their team president in February 2008.

Ryan was scheduled to join Davis and Simpson, the largest investors in the ownership group, in a news conference at Rangers Ballpark later Friday to discuss Greenberg's departure.

In a joint statement, Davis and Simpson touted Greenberg's hard work and "unwavering commitment" to the team and what was accomplished in their short time owning the club.

"We thank Chuck for his many contributions to the organization, and wish him well in his future endeavors," the statement read. "At the same time, we are very confident in the continued success and further development of the Texas Rangers under Nolan's leadership."

Greenberg, a Pittsburgh attorney who recently moved into a new home in North Texas, didn't return messages left by The Associated Press.

Greenberg, who had only a small ownership stake in the team, and Ryan were the most visible figures during the prolonged process of purchasing the Rangers from Tom Hicks. After entering into exclusive negotiations with Hicks in December 2009, an initial agreement was reached the following month.

But the acquisition was delayed and then ended up in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The team's May filing included a plan to sell to the 18-investor group led by Greenberg and Ryan, but angry creditors successfully argued to reopen the bidding. The messy court fight dragged on for 11 weeks and included an auction showdown with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban last August.

The Greenberg-Ryan group won with a bid valued at about $590 million.

"Chuck's determination during an extremely long and complicated sales process was crucial in delivering a positive outcome for our ownership group last August," Ryan said in the team's release. "We owe him a great deal of thanks for those efforts and I wish him only the best."

The day after Major League Baseball formally approved the sale, Greenberg and Ryan announced lower prices for concessions, parking and merchandise at Rangers Ballpark.

When Greenberg wasn't sitting in the front row with Ryan through the end of the regular season and in the playoffs, he often was sitting in different areas of the ballpark with fans.

In the weeks after the World Series, which the Rangers lost in five games to San Francisco, the team added a new chief operating officer and three vice presidents.

Greenberg in December announced $13 million in video, technology and audio updates for Rangers Ballpark this season, including a new 5,000-square-foot HD screen high above right field. It was the first in a series of scheduled improvements planned at the 16-year-old stadium over the next few years.

Under the ownership arrangement, Ryan's role was to oversee all baseball operations with Greenberg in charge of the business side.

The Rangers this winter moved their Triple-A franchise to Round Rock, Texas, a natural fit because of location and its ownership by the Ryan family. The franchise's High-A team was shifted to Myrtle Beach, S.C., one of the two minor league teams owned by Greenberg.

After leaving spring training in Arizona, the Rangers play an exhibition game in Myrtle Beach on March 29, then play at Round Rock the next day before returning to Arlington for the April 1 regular season opener against Boston.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN HAWKINS]

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