What It Says/What It Means

Today Evan Grant had a new article up on the DMN titled: “Nolan Ryan will remain with Texas Rangers as CEO for time being; continue to search for understanding of role”.

Here is what it says,

and this is what it means.

“A tense ten days in the Rangers’ offices came to something of an end Sunday when Ryan released a statement saying he intended to stay with the Rangers in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer for the time being while he and co-chairmen of the board Bob Simpson and Ray Davis try to reach an understanding of his newly shaped role.”

“For the time being,” meaning, like, enough time to probe other organizations for a position and continue this ongoing media shit storm? 

“Ryan had been considering leaving the organization in the wake of a couple of promotions that left him in the somewhat undefined role of CEO. Ryan had been President since February, 2008 and had been in the dual role of President/CEO since March, 2011 when Chuck Greenberg was ousted.”

You mean when Nolan Ryan ousted Chuck Greenberg all by himself?

” “Over the last week, Ray Davis, Bob Simpson, and I have been in discussion and met in-person,” Ryan said in a statement. “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. I am very proud of what the Rangers have accomplished over the last several years, and I believe our preparations for upcoming season are what is important.” ”

If that’s what is important, then why is this side-saga dominating the media noise? No one is talking about Jurickson Profar, or the battle for the 5th starter, or the center field competition; they are talking about Nolan Ryan, which I assume is the way he likes it.

“Rangers officials said Ryan would have no other statement on the matter Sunday.”

Color me shocked.

“On March 1, the Rangers board of directors voted to elevate both Jon Daniels (baseball operations) and Rick George (business operations) to split the title of team president. In a statement, Ryan congratulated both for their promotions, but he declined to answer questions. He has declined comment ever since.”

[More filler.]

“On Friday, Ryan flew back to North Texas to meet with Simpson and Davis face to face and discuss his concerns about how vital his new role would be. Simpson categorized the talks as positive and Ryan returned to Arizona on Saturday morning. He attended the Rangers’ exhibition on Saturday and was in the office Sunday.”

Sounds like he’s around. Sounds like Grant knows where to reach him. How much more “understanding” does Ryan need to find with his “new” role? This was supposed to be a nonissue. 

* * * * * *

The situation is as crystal-clear, black and white, as it gets. In reality, for the last 5 years Nolan Ryan has operated as the president of a franchise he essentially has no control of. What I mean by that is, if you figure Jon Daniels — as GM — has had the majority of power on the personnel decisions, and that both Bob Simpson and Ray Davis are the primary sources on the financial end of things, then that puts Nolan Ryan squarely in the minority on both ends.

In less words: he’s dispensable.

That’s just a fact.

What isn’t so clearly defined is the timetable under which Nolan is currently operating from. We’re now into double digits in days that have gone by without a definitive resolution on the situation, and time is ticking down before the start of the regular season.

Remember that marketing campaign the Rangers had a few years ago, titled “It’s Time”? Well, it is time. It’s time for Nolan to speak up.