Chuck Greenberg’s brief stay in Texas included a bankruptcy auction and World Series appearance.
In an unexpected turn of events, the Rangers announced Friday that Chuck Greenberg – who spent several months and millions of his own dollars trying to secure partial ownership in the franchise – is resigning from his duties as the team’s CEO and managing partner.
Club president Nolan Ryan will assume Greenberg’s role as chief executive officer, and he will now oversee all baseball and business operations for the Rangers while reporting directly to the team’s Board of Directors.
“We thank Chuck for his many contributions to the organization, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Ray Davis and Bob Simpson, Co-Chairmen of Rangers Baseball Express LLC, in a press release. “At the same time, we are very confident in the continued success and further development of the Texas Rangers under Nolan’s leadership.”
Greenberg’s departure comes less than seven months after he led a group of investors – including Ryan – that submitted the winning bid to purchase the ballclub at a bankruptcy court auction late last summer.
Since then, he had become a popular public face for the Rangers as they marched through the American League playoffs and into the first World Series appearance in team history.
“I have great respect for the Texas Rangers franchise and am enormously proud of all we have accomplished together since August,” Greenberg said in the press release. “Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the Co-Chairmen, and I have somewhat different styles.
“While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what’s right for the franchise. Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on.”
No specific details of the apparent falling-out were released, although according to Sports Illustrated baseball writer Jon Heyman (via Twitter), “Greenberg managed to upset a lot of people as managing partner but [his] undoing came after he upset Nolan Ryan.”
Team Makes First Roster Cuts
With less than three weeks to go until Opening Day, the Rangers on Saturday announced their first round of spring cuts while adding veteran pitcher Brett Tomko to the big-league roster.
Texas optioned four players from the 40-man roster to different levels of minor-league camp, including left-hander Zach Phillips (Triple-A Round Rock), outfielder Engel Beltre and right-hander Fabio Castillo (Double-A Frisco), and right-hander Wilmer Font (Class-A Myrtle Beach).
In addition, right-hander Brett Tomko – who signed a minor-league contract with Texas last month – was added to the team’s major-league camp as a non-roster player. Tomko, 37, missed all of the 2010 season while recovering from a nerve problem in his right arm.
Saturday’s moves leave the Rangers with a total of 52 players on their big-league spring training roster, including 36 on the 40-man roster and 16 non-roster invitees.
Beltre Close to Spring Debut
Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who has been sidelined with a calf strain throughout spring training, could see his first game action as soon as Monday, according to Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas.
Beltre, a two-time Gold Glove award winner, signed a six-year deal with the Rangers in January worth $96 million, and his presence at third is expected to shift veteran Michael Young into a designated hitter/super utility role.
Nate's Notes 
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