The Blue Jays have "generated universal acclaim" for hiring President & CEO Mark Shapiro, a "smart, progressive, people-oriented executive with a long, impressive resumé covering both the baseball operations and business areas of running a ball club," according to John Lott of the NATIONAL POST. One of Shapiro's challenges "will come in his transition from a traditional family-owned team to a club owned by an enormous media conglomerate," Rogers Communications. By announcing Shapiro’s appointment now, Rogers "eliminated the uncertainty" surrounding the succession plan for outgoing Blue Jays President & CEO Paul Beeston. Now, the "suddenly successful Jays’ team enters a new era with long-term stability in the president’s office and Beeston will retire with full honours, as he deserves" (NATIONAL POST, 9/1). In Toronto, Bruce Arthur writes having Shapiro replace Beeston after the season "is a better outcome than anybody could have reasonably hoped." Beeston has been "on the way out ever since Rogers Communications tried to shiv him last winter." Arthur: "What we don’t know is how this affects [Blue Jays Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Alex] Anthopoulos." The city of Toronto "has waited so long for this rush of excitement, for the thrill of baseball games that not only matter but make you laugh, and it feels like running the man most responsible for it out of town when the season ends would be faintly ridiculous." But Anthopoulos and Shapiro "don’t really know one another yet." If Shapiro "wants to keep the bright, still-young GM, the right fit will depend more on Shapiro than Anthopoulos" (TORONTO STAR, 9/1). MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal said Shapiro "wasn't the Blue Jays' first choice," but he may "be the right choice" ("MLB Tonight, MLB Network, 8/31).
CAN THEY PLAY TOGETHER? In Toronto, Bob Elliott writes Shapiro is a "good hire" and a "good man to implement" the five-year plan to upgrade Rogers Centre. But "hiring the new president and leaving the GM’s future uncertain was wrong" (TORONTO SUN, 9/1). The NATIONAL POST's Andrew Stoeten wrote this "very well could be a shrewd move by Rogers, allowing them to avoid the public-relations hit of losing Anthopoulos so soon after he transformed his team" into a contender, while "adding a president and CEO with important experience" (NATIONAL POST, 8/31). ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said Anthopoulos and Shapiro could "work well together." ESPN's Doug Glanville said of Shapiro, "I like that fit. He's well respected, not just in Cleveland" ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN, 8/31). FS1's Jon Paul Morosi said that Anthopoulos' job is safe, "at least for the near term" ("MLB Whiparound, FS1, 8/31).
TRIBAL LEADERSHIP: In Cleveland, Zack Meisel notes Indians employees who "reported directly to Shapiro will now deal directly" with team Chair & CEO Paul Dolan at the outset. Dolan said, "We will take our time and settle on the best internal structure to run this team going forward. ... Internally, we'll look at it to see if there's a gap we need to fill, but right now our plan is to move forward as is." He added that if GM Chris Antonetti "determines he needs an additional baseball voice, he could hire some form of a special advisor." However, Dolan stressed that "in no way is that a replacement of the president" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/1). Also in Cleveland, Terry Pluto writes at 48 years old and having worked for only one team, Shapiro "had reached the point where he needed a new challenge." His moves, such as "re-configuring the ballpark and adding spots such as The Corner to attract a younger crowd," have been "picked apart by some older fans, but embraced by the target audience." The Indians are "in shape to contend the next few seasons, and Shapiro is part of the reason for that" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/1). The PLAIN DEALER's Bud Shaw writes "every aspect of how the Indians do business is connected to the market and ownership challenge." Shaw: "You say it's an excuse. I say it's a pretty damn good one most years" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/1).
