Rays' Kalt Leaving Franchise, Returning To N.Y. After Taking Lead In Team's Stadium Talks

Rays Senior VP/Development & Business Affairs MICHAEL KALT is "leaving for a new job" in his native N.Y. after helping lead the team's search for a new stadium, according to Stephen Nohlgren of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Kalt joined the team in '06 as Exec VP/Development & Business Affairs after working with former N.Y. Mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG "on stadium issues." Neither the Rays nor Kalt "gave any indication that the move relates to the stadium stalemate between the Rays and the city of St. Petersburg." Instead, lesser-known general partners in the Rays organization "have opened an investment office in Manhattan and want Kalt to run it." Kalt having a 14-month-old son "also played a part." Rays President MATT SILVERMAN said that other team execs involved in stadium issues "will now take on expanded roles." Silverman: "It's a process that requires cooperative planning and execution by a number of interested parties" (TAMPABAY.com, 1/17).