Ryan, who has been President of Business Operations since '13, is now Exec Adviser/Business RelationsGETTY IMAGES
Astros Owner Jim Crane has appointed his son, Jared, to help "oversee the franchise's business operations in place" of Reid Ryan, "putting in place an early plan for his succession," according to Rome & Barron of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Jared Crane will "assist Jim and his executive team in a broad variety of functions related to the operations of the Astros business." Jim Crane said that the "plan to bring Jared into the franchise was brewing for 'about a year.'" He added that he "told Ryan 'months ago' he was considering bringing his son aboard." Rome & Barron note all three men "will attend the owner's meetings in Arlington at the end of the month." The team "promised Ryan will remain 'an important part of the Astros organization.'" Ryan, who has served as President of Business Operations since May '13, was "given a new title" -- Exec Adviser/Business Relations. Jim Crane said that Ryan will "continue to aid in alumni relations, do public speaking and 'some of the things with the Greater Houston Partnership.'" He added that the change in Ryan's role was "not related to the team's awkward handling" of former Assistant GM/Player Evaluation Brandon Taubman's outburst at a group of female reporters. Meanwhile, Reid Ryan's father, Nolan Ryan, on Thursday said that he "no longer will serve" as an Astros Exec Advisor (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/8). Crane said that Ryan has "done a good job for the Astros and will be helping his son and working with the executive team" (AP, 11/7).
RYAN DESERVING OF PRAISE: In Houston, Jerome Solomon writes Ryan has been a "vital driving force in turning the Astros from a ragged, old-school bunch into a modern successful enterprise." It took a "special person to keep the community engaged when the Astros were the worst team in baseball." Solomon: "Not that Ryan did it all alone -- he and Crane have put together a talented business staff -- but Ryan has been the face of the Astros community and business programs." Jared Crane "could be great at this," but the "odds of someone being a better team president than Ryan are very long" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/8).
MOVE IN THE WORKS? In Ft. Worth, Jeff Wilson writes while the Astros are "still recovering" from their World Series loss, the PR team is "back in crisis mode after messing with the Ryan family" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/8). In Dallas, Evan Grant writes there is "no telling the real motivation" behind the Ryan move, but it "might end up serving three parties well: Reid Ryan, Crane and the Rangers." If Ryan has "bigger aspirations, like, perhaps political office one day, distancing himself from the recent Astros scandal is a smart move." Crane appointing his son to help run the day-to-day Astros business is "his right and also sets up a line of succession." Meanwhile, the Rangers in the long run "might just end up with another relationship with the Ryans." The Rangers have been "slowly healing the old wounds." The next step will come later this winter or next year when the sides "might consider patching things up, once and for all" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/8).
GRACIOUS LOSERS: The Astros bought a full-page ad in Friday's Washington Post congratulating the Nationals for winning the World Series. The ad ran on the back of the Post's sports section (THE DAILY).
