Mead had worked in various capacities with the Angels since '80 and took over media relations in '97GETTY IMAGES
The Baseball HOF announced that longtime Angels VP/Communications TIM MEAD "would be taking over this summer" as its next president, replacing JEFF IDELSON, according to Jeff Fletcher of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Mead had "worked in various capacities with the Angels," starting in media relations as an intern in '80. After briefly switching over to baseball operations, Mead in '97 "returned to head the media relations department, serving as the primary liaison between the players, manager and front office executives and the media and community." Following the news of Mead's appointment, social media was "filled with well wishes from those in the media and in uniform." Mead said that Idelson "approached him about the job during spring training." Mead was "at first reluctant to leave the Angels, but a subsequent conversation" with Baseball HOF BOD Chair JANE FORBES CLARK "helped convince him this was the right job" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/1).
ONE OF A KIND: In L.A., Bill Shaikin writes Mead was the Angels' "unifying voice amid times of turmoil and tragedy." He "organized compassionate responses" after late Angels P NICK ADENHART was killed by a drunk driver in '09 and after former manager BUCK RODGERS "nearly died in a team bus crash" in '92. Mead was a "one-man alumni relations department, keeping generations of players connected to the organization, and he artfully navigated the tightrope of representing owners who did not always enjoy dealing with the media" (L.A. TIMES, 5/1). MLB Network's Stephen Nelson said, "It does not get better than Tim Mead -- not just in the baseball world, but in the world as a whole" ("The Rundown," MLB Network, 4/30).
TWITTER PRAISE: MLBPA Senior Advisor Jerry Crasnick tweeted Mead is "as genuine and professional as they come, and is an "outstanding choice to succeed Jeff idelson in Cooperstown." Angels 1B Albert Pujols: "You have been the definition of kindness, humility, and warmth. I have been blessed to work with you and get to call you my friend. It will be hard not seeing you at The Big A and traveling." MLB Network's Jon Morosi: "Congratulations to Tim Mead, one of the very best people in @MLB. This is a great day for him and the @baseballhall." FS K.C.'s Dave Holtzman: "When you look up class, professionalism and character in the dictionary, there's a picture of Tim Mead next to each one. Spectacular hire by the @baseballhall!" USA Today's Gabe Lacques: "Tim Mead is truly Mr. Angel. ... Congrats on a new and excellent gig." Baseball blogger Ross Newhan: "Perfect fit for Tim and the Hall." Angels podcaster Taylor Blake Ward: "Mead is a man I desire to become, his work ethic and humility both go unmatched."
