Putting The Blame Where It's Due
Julio Borbon expresses his dismay over a blown call at home plate -- and Tom Hicks' disastrous ownership -- on Wednesday, April 21st.It's almost fitting, in a masochistic sort of way: the misery of the Texas Rangers' now-six-game losing streak being compounded by Tom Hicks' already infamous Wednesday declaration that the sale of the embattled franchise to the Chuck Greenberg/Nolan Ryan-led ownership consortium would not be approved, at least as far as "[things] stand right now." But the ultimate kicker? Hicks' insistence that day-to-day operations would not be affected, a claim already proven to be patently false -- that is, unless Hicks doesn't perceive items such as payroll to be components of day-to-day operations.
And so now Major League Baseball appears destined to intervene in a process which has allegedly been stalemated for months on end and, as alluded to by Bloomberg News last week, could still be headed for bankruptcy court, with Hicks Sports Group's creditors -- chief among them being Monarch Alternative Capital, the so-called "predatory" hedge fund which owns nearly 20 percent of HSG's total debt ($525 million) -- still holding out for the magic $300 million mark, a good $30 million beyond that which Hicks is willing to dispense. Amazingly, Hicks has foisted responsibility for the situation being resolved upon the league, HSG's creditors and Greenberg/Ryan ... in essence, everyone involved in the sale except himself.
What we're seeing right now is the potential confluence of virtually every worst-case scenario related to the sale: having to abort the prior sales agreement and send everything back to square one would not only prove a crippling blow from a P.R. standpoint, but would presumably also hamstring everything ranging from the potential mid-season expansion of major league payroll -- which doesn't seem all that likely given the team's current state of play, but that's beside the point -- to the amateur and international signing budgets. The Biz of Baseball's Maury Brown remains convinced that this deal will get pounded through; given the ramifications if it doesn't, I hope he's right.
What continues to puzzle me is both the nature and the timing of Hicks' latest remarks; indeed, what is his motivation for expressly stating that the deal (a) won't get done as presently constituted and (b) is the sole responsibility of everyone other than himself? It could be his propensity for saying the wrong things at the wrong times, or it could be something more sinister along the lines of attempting to sabotage the current deal, the latter notion being floated by Lone Star Ball's Adam Morris.
Why on earth would Hicks engage in such behavior? Well, first, he's Hicks (enough said), and second, it may be that he believes he can secure more power and perhaps actually recoup some actual proceeds from the sale if he partners with a more cash-flush investor, such as Houston freight-forwarding magnate Jim Crane, whose final offer actually remained superior to that submitted by Greenberg/Ryan even after the latter group enhanced its offer during the 11th hour of the bidding process.
Before writing that off as so much conspiratorial hearsay, take note of two startling facts (via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Jeff Wilson): first, Hicks -- unethically or otherwise -- has recently been in contact with Jim Crane about potentially getting re-involved in the hunt, and second, despite committing to an 30-day exclusive negotiating window with Greenberg/Ryan back in December, Hicks conducted separate negotiations with Crane during that same exclusive negotiating window. No word on the perceived severity of that violation of protocol, but it all may very well be indicative of an ulterior motive on Hicks' part, and frankly that scares the living hell out of me.
And really, none of this should surprise anyone. Given everything that has come to light over the last year or so, there is literally no good reason for anyone to ever invest any modicum of trust in Hicks again. This is a man who effectively mortgaged both of his Dallas/Fort Worth sports franchises to purchase Liverpool FC, ran all three into the ground financially, defaulted on his loans, violated the collective bargaining agreement, attempted -- and failed -- to fund his own attempt to purchase the Rangers from himself by executing some shenanigans with an FSNSW television contract extension, and, to top it all, never actually finalized a contract with his own team president.
I don't wish ill will upon the man personally, but from the standpoint of being a responsible sports owner, he is an utter abomination who should be black-listed and precluded from ever being allowed to hold a majority interest in a major sports franchise again. You want to talk about a real, perpetual comedy of errors? Then look no further.
18 Comments | in Analysis, The Season
Reader Comments (18)
A fish (like organizations) rots from the head down.
Hicks makes me sick. I was so excited for this season, one reason is the prospect of payroll not being handcuffed anymore. This is just bad news all the way around. This club in my opinion has nowhere to go but up with Nolan Ryan at the helm but there's no telling what this club will look like without him.
If Hicks was talking to Crane during the "exclusive" negotiating window...no wonder MLB is pissed. This is what I hinted at in the gameday chat last night, that when Hicks was saying the creditors felt there might be a better deal out there -- gee, Tom, why would they think that? Where could they have heard that? Sleazy bastard.
I say the deal gets done, with MLB drawing a line in the sand for the creditors. The creditors won't get more from the team in bankruptcy than is currently on the table. In fact, they might get less given the amount of the lien.
Oh, forgot to say earlier.... Hell of an article, Joey, good stuff!
Hicks is a douchebag! I would pay big money to see HICKS and SELIG battle in an old school ladder match.
Ron Washington's days left O/U? 25 games...
I will take the unders.
John Walton, Sr.: Good night, John Boy.
John 'John Boy' Walton Jr.: Good night, everyone.
For those of you who didn't watch The Walton's let me spell it out.
Good night, Tom
Good night, Wash
Good night, season
Good night..........................................
JM, Durrett has a few more quotes from Hicks in which TH says "any group that would compete with this group organized by Chuck has assured me and others that Nolan would have the same role in their group".
What a tangled web this man weaves.
GREAT story Joey! Thanks for having the "GUTS" to adress the "dead elephant" in the room. Despite Hick's trying to sabbatage the club, going back to last season, Daniels & Ryan have done an outstanding job considering the limitations they are operating under. I am sure this situation was why Wash was not fired as MLB di not want to foot the bill for his remaining contract & search for a new manager. It will be interesting to see what reception the club gets upon their return to the Ballpark.
Hopefully Josh will go on a tear now. He looked good last night (he OWED us from the night before!)
I don't like to talk about it but has anyone notice how bad decisions of umpiring have been normally against the rangers? why? strike zone inconsistency and now even runs called out?
I wish I could say we were watching the demise of a once proud franchise. In reality, ownership of this team has sucked and been a comedy of errors ever since the days of Bob Short.
I'm still holding out that this sale gets to such a bad point that Mark Cuban saves the day and MLB allows him to buy the Rangers. I know this is a long shot, but then we could have the resources to compete with the AL East in the next 2 years.
"Sports Groups" don't have money to spend. Billionaire's do.
We've done a good job "shopping for wins in the bargain bin" but wouldn't it be nice to be able to sign draft picks and land the occasional stud FA?
(P.S. talking about shopping for wins in the bargain bin, once the R. Garko signing was announced I raced over here expecting to see a column praising the signing since you advocated for it weeks before it happened...is that still coming? I could use some good news...even if it is slightly biased)
Cuban is never going to get MLB approval for a deal with him in it.
The stories like this make me hate Hicks even more then I already do. HE is the only reason that this deal isn't done already. He is wanting to get whats best for him, and I guess I can't fault him for that, but as a Ranger fan it really pisses me off. He sunk his boat by blowing holes in it repeatedly and now we are left to live with it. In a large way I will almost expect that Hicks will stop giving the small amount of care he seems to have now when he's out of the biggest chair.
The most frustrating part of things right now is the feeling that the on field team is getting screwed over by the umps. And it just has compounded my frustration as a Ranger fan. Of course I have also been buying extra tickets on top of my normal miniseason package. It makes me wonder if I hate myself in some strange way.
I think we often view pro sports franchise owners as fans of that particular sport... and that they have the best interest of the club and fans, and they want nothing more than to be a winner, sometimes regardless of cost. In reality, they are a bunch of bottom feeding, lowly, greedy human beings that would sell their grandmother if the price was right. Hicks true colors are shining through...
I may be oversimplifying it but this mentality is what's bringing down our great country. The days of loyal owners, CEOs, etc... that TRULY had their company/sports teams, etc... best interest(s) at heart, are long gone.
And listen, I'm a Repub that is all about making an HONEST buck based on hard work... I do NOT believe in the "spread the wealth" mentality or free handouts/getting something for nothing.
Tom Hicks reeled us in with signings like AROD, Chan Ho, etc... but the bottom line is/was it's all about him, at the expense at whoever get's in his way.
He's really no different than 95% of other sports franchise owners, CEO's, Presidents, etc...
And maybe I'm naive by saying this but I think the lone exception is an owner like Mark Cuban. Without being stupid, he spends money because we wants the Mavs to be champs and to give us fans something to be proud of... and I know for a fact that he is VERY generous with his charities and helping our community and the "less privileged". I'm sure he's had questionable and seedy business dealings... but on the whole, he's the ideal owner.
I hate to be "that guy" by picking apart the Ranger's perceived shortcomings... but I'm seeing NO continuity/fluidity in this line up. There's 1 consistent, high avergare/high OBP hitter in MY, and he's not hitting right now. Other than him, there is a bunch of streaky, high K/low BB/OBP, hitters that when off, are REALLY off.
Look at last season's Angel's lineup... they didn't mash 200+ HRs... they put balls in play (and consequently pressured the D), worked the pitcher, and focused on getting on base. I remember at 1 point late last season, the Angel's line up had 7 or 8 regular players hitting .300+.
I don't think the Ranger's can be successful when they have 5-7 hits, 2 or 3 BBs, and 10+ K's. As much as it pains me to say, there may simply be too many inexperienced hitters/players to truly contend this year.
Borbon, Andrus, TT, Salty, Davis, and to a lesser degree Murph, Hammy, and Cruz are all very young (in terms of games played)... leaving MY, Vlad, and Kins as the only guys with years under their belt.
To go anywhere THIS year, I think JD may need to put a nice package together to snag a vet hitter that provides an immediate impact. Problem is, as Joey pointed out, JD's hands may be tied because of money... and I can't think of a single hitter/star type player that MAY be available not making a ton of money. The only one that comes to mind is Adrian Gonzalez... and he could bolt in 2012. I'm not sure what type of package they'd have to put together for a guy like him but I'm sure it would start with 1 of Holland, Feliz, and Perez... and probably Smoak and 1 or 2 regulars (Salty or TT). That's a steep price for a guy that may only be here a couple of years.
This sucks... I really thought that by this point, we'd be heaping praise on this team... not looking for ways to fix so many problems.
If the Rangers don't pull out this - there is a bright side.
Josh, no matter how bad he is, can be traded for something with some upside. Same for Davis, but not so much.
You take whatever you can get for Francisco, even if that means an A-ball player.
Vlad will certainly be coveted down the stretch by a myriad of teams and will probably bring something very nice in return, even if they are simply 2 AA prospects, they'll be good ones.
I think Darren Oliver will be expendable at the deadline (if this keeps up) so away he goes.
The Rangers continue to build - with a new manager at the helm (Buechele?) by mid-season, thee will optimism again. The team has anough tools to bring back more prospects and Smoak, Holland, Ogano, Scheppers and probably Moreland will all be here come August and bring us hope again.
The Rangers are stuck with Wash. If they can him they still owe him. They won't be allowed to add payroll until they clear up the ownership issue. I thought Liverpool fans hated Hicks I think we are quickly catching up. So will we ever see Hicks in the stands in Arlington again? Or will we continue to see him attend games while on the road. I don't think he has the nerve to show his face in Arlington.
Last year about this time we were screaming for Wash to get fired but now we have the added Hicks side show that has the Rangers strung up like a buck ready for gutting.
It's time
I used to think Hicks was along the same lines as the earlier lousy owners - Bob Short, Eddie Chiles, Brad Corbett. Now, if he screws up this deal, I'm convinced he'll easily be the worst of the worst. What a shameful legacy he leaves, and I hope whatever legacy he leaves, it happens as soon as possible. This has got to be the biggest fiasco in the history of professional sports ownership, anytime, anywhere, and he doesn't even have the sense to be embarrassed or ashamed.
As bad as this is for Hicks and the Rangers I don't think Hicks is close to the worst current pro sports owner, much less one of the worst of all time.
Hicks has ruined the STARS and Rangers. Thanks soooo much. Now please do not have anything to do with any future sports teams in our region. Wait, please buy the Yankees. I'd love to watch them under your financial wizardry, Mr. Hicks.