Express Delivery: Ryan Returns to Rangers

Nolan Ryan, Astros franchise icon and co-owner of two of the team's minor league franchises, today exited his personal services contract a year early to assume the team president position offered by the Texas Rangers. Ryan will oversee the daily operations of the floundering Arlington-based team, working with mercurial owner Tom Hicks.

The fate of his owner's stake in the minor league affiliates is up for debate, but the assumption is that they will remain associated with the Astros. The Round Rock Express and Corpus Christi Hooks are two of the most successful minor league teams (in terms of revenue) in the southwest. The Rangers current AAA and AA teams are in Oklahoma City and Frisco, respectively; there would be little to gain in terms of proximity if the Rangers were to acquire either of the Astros' affiliates.

While this move may bring to mind the infamous John McMullen, the former owner of the Astros who allowed Ryan to leave the team for the Rangers on the premise that Ryan was washed up, only to have him thrive in the Metroplex, there are some key differences. Ryan's five year personal services contract with the Astros carried with it no formal title, and while the Astros' pitching camp has borne his name during that time and numerous pitchers have benefited from his mentoring, the Astros' front office doesn't have an opening with nearly the responsibility that the Rangers offered Ryan. Owner Drayton McLane blessed Ryan's interviewing with the Rangers, and made it clear that he was happy for the Alvin native to move up in baseball's food chain.

The Rangers have a press conference scheduled for 3pm today to formalize the announcement.
The Astros just wrapped up their Elite Camp last week, so Ryan's responsibilities to the team are pretty much complete anyway. It's sad to see him go, but baseball is a business as well as a past-time. So long as he stays in Texas, we can't feel too bad about it. Besides, we'll always have this memory. You can't come tippy-toeing up to the Ryan Express, y'all.

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photo: our very own Groovehouse