New Ownership Featuring Gillick A Possibility?

by SethGrandpa on Jul 2, 2008 12:53 AM PDT

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10884085

Kind of just expanding on previous rumors, but word is a group led by Microsoft exc and part owner Chris Larson and featuring Gillick might buy out the team from Hiroshi Yamauchi. Then Gillick would be placed in charge of the baseball operations. They say Kenji's new deal might have just been the Japanese ownership trying to take care of him before they move along.

Here's the thing that stuck out to me and makes this seem almost probable-

Gillick is retiring from the Phillies at the end of the year, but he's sold his "dream retirement house" that he had custom built in Toronto. His wife also sold her art gallery in Toronto. This is a huge deal. Who does something like that without something big planned?

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Better the devil you know...

I’m not entirely sure Pat Gillick would be better as the head of baseball operations. I think he’d be less open to hiring a GM who doesn’t adhere to “old boy wisdom.”

If this is true, I hope Chris Larson and his associates pay 24 million less than Yamauchi’s asking price.

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates is one of the greatest literary achievements of the Modern Era.

by Frosty Raptor on Jul 2, 2008 2:18 AM PDT reply actions

What, no more Howie and Chuck?

one dares to dream. I’d rather go with old-boy wisdom than neither here nor there incompetence

the artist formerly known as Mere Tantalisers.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 2, 2008 5:52 AM PDT reply actions

Hilarious

Was just talking about this possibility. Had no idea there were rumors of the real thing. Don’t put too much stock into Gillick selling his place in Toronto—who knows why he’d do that… But, from the article it looks like they’ve got confirmation from someone inside the M’s organization. That is if you believe the reporter.

by manyoso on Jul 2, 2008 7:10 AM PDT reply actions

Maybe having all those things costs them money

and cashing them out allows them to live retirement comfortably, with minimal demands.

by Gomez on Jul 2, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I would be the happiest man in the world if Chris Larson was placed in charge of this team.

by Robert on Jul 2, 2008 8:18 AM PDT reply actions

Chris Larson working alongside Pat Gillick?

That’s actually something I can get behind.

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Damn you beat me to it

Regardless of Pat Gillick’s “old skool mentality,” who here doesn’t believe that a tandem Gillick and Chris Larson would be light years ahead of Hiroshi Yamuachi, Howard Lincoln and Chuck Armstrong?

Allow yourself to imagine the possibilities…

Please make this happen, ye olde Baseball deities.

by Omerta on Jul 2, 2008 8:34 AM PDT reply actions

This is the best rumor I've heard in a while...

or at least the Larson part. Not sure I want Gillick picking our new GM, but man, would Chris Larson be nice to have at the helm.

by tait644 on Jul 2, 2008 8:53 AM PDT reply actions

At least...

Gillick would choose a guy who knows talent…

by rtang on Jul 2, 2008 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

If you are who I think you are

you’re a saint for trying to make Baker’s blog a better of place. That or insane. An insaint?

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes, I'm that guy

I’ve had this handle for a while longer than the one over at Baker’s blog.

And the quality of Baker’s commenters has really gone down this year. Last year was fun (partly because the Adam Jones debate was a good one). This year, not so much.

by tait644 on Jul 2, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

At least we can still make Resin foam at the mouth.

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I lurked last year and during the offseason

and you are 100% correct. I still post occasionally, but rarely so I get involved in any long, drawn out discussions, because it’s just ends up making me angry.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions

I inadvertently got drawn in to that first Beltre LD%/BABIP discussion.

That was a mistake.

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I had a similar discussion with a friend of my sister's at a game a few weeks ago.

He talked about how disappointing Beltre had been, and in response I briefly explained BABIP and LD%, and how they can tell you whether or not a hitter’s performance was sustainable, etc. And I then pointed out that Beltre’s actual numbers are way below what they should reasonably be expected to be. HIs response was something to the effect of “Hey man, coulda’ woulda’ shoulda’. He’s getting paid to produce, and I want to see results.”

This is why you don’t go to a baseball game with people you haven’t met before, because even though he turned out to be a pretty cool, really smart dude, I was annoyed at him for the rest of the night.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I never understand why "statheads" are railed against for trying to take the human element out of the game

but the minute we bring up “bad lucK,” we’re accused of being advocates of intangibles.

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Most people are too stupid to realize

that there are very few things in the world that are simple questions of black v white/right v wrong

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions

It's not necessarily stupidity

I totally get the “wanting to see results” thing, even though I understand the concepts of BABIP and LD%. Unfortunately, team sports is a bottom-line business; you either win or you lose. And with the Mariners losing, all people see is Beltre’s “lack of contribution”, and they get pissed. Doesn’t make it right, but it’s understandable.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jul 2, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

This was a response to BrianL's point about luck/intangibles.

A lot of people see the stahead/non-stahead issue as an either/or proposition. Many of those people have made up their minds that statheads (despite it’s utility, I cannot stand that word) are, as BrianL said, attempting to take the human element out of the game, and when such a person mentions the human element or role of chance as a factor, others will call them a hypocrite.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, he's correct

Beltre hasn’t really produced. The LD and BABIP tell you that his numbers should improve, and the reason why he hasn’t really produced, ie he’s been unlucky, but he hasn’t really produced.

Of course, whether he’s produced or not, depends on what you expect out of him.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 2, 2008 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

The implication was that Beltre hasn't produced because he's not good.

He refused to accept that luck was a huge factor.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Instain mother.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Also, I'm always down for some online Grand Theft Auto IV or Rock Band. Gamertag: Phildopip

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Jul 2, 2008 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

That is one of my all-time favorite things on the internet

along with you make me touch your hands for stupid reasons.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm really not all that sure that Yamauchi is interested in selling off majority ownership.

Place this one in the interesting rumors pile for now.

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 9:03 AM PDT reply actions

Gillick is retiring from the Phillies at the end of the year, but he’s sold his “dream retirement house” that he had custom built in Toronto. His wife also sold her art gallery in Toronto. This is a huge deal. Who does something like that without something big planned?

Maybe they want to see America in an RV.

by JI on Jul 2, 2008 9:08 AM PDT reply actions

FWIW, Gillick has a new house in Magnolia.

by Matthew on Jul 2, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

ZOMG RUMOR CONFIRMED

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

FWIW, I bought a new pair of socks today.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jul 2, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

what color?

by Matthew on Jul 2, 2008 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

white. Biking socks should always be white.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jul 2, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Argyle socks on bikers look awesome.

Probably not especially comfortable, though.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I have yet to find good argyle technical socks

I’m hoping that now that there’s a pro cycling team that sports argyle (Chipotle/Slipstream/whatever they’re called now) I might be able to find some. I’d make an exception to the white socks rule for argyle.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jul 2, 2008 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

HOLY CRAP..I heard RRS bought a new pair of socks today. COULD YOU BE....OH MY GOODNESS.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Jul 2, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

DAMMIT MY SECRET IDENTITY IS REVEALED NOW I NEED NEW SOCKS.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jul 2, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Go for argyle.

by Kirsten Schlewitz on Jul 2, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

If for no other reason than it's an awesome word.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jul 2, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Larson and Gillick instead of Lincoln and Armstrong?

Sign me up

by IceStormV1 on Jul 2, 2008 10:40 AM PDT reply actions

I'll get excited

when they actually make the deal happen and then actually do something to make this team better….been thru enough GM and Manager changes to see that making a change doesn’t always equal making an improvement.

Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!

by MfaninAlaska on Jul 2, 2008 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

If Larson takes control at the helm

that marks a drastic, drastic philosophical change for this club.

by BrianL on Jul 2, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

We'll see

right now he’s just a name that is being bandied about…. when he actually does something and sets a philosophy that’s positive I’ll get more excited, right now he’s done nothing to show that he’d be any better then any of the other owners that have been in control of the M’s.

Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!

by MfaninAlaska on Jul 2, 2008 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2008 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

by PositivePaul on Jul 2, 2008 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Really?

I work in SLU. Right on Fairview Avenue.

by BrianL on Jul 7, 2008 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Paul Allen used to be about fielding good teams

Then, he got persuaded that maximising profits was more important. Fortunately, he appears to have now decided that maximising profits from his sports teams does not make him happy.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 2, 2008 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions