Nolan Ryan Resigns as Texas Rangers CEO
October 18, 2013
Nolan Ryan has announced that he will resign as CEO of the Texas Rangers at the end of the month. He has also sold his stake in the club to co-chairmen of the board Bob Simpson and Ray Davis.
The 66-year-old Hall of Famer, was hired as president in 2008. He has not ruled out a possible return to baseball in the future, though he yet to decide his plans.
Speaking at a press conference at Rangers Ballpark, he said: “Will I be the CEO of another major league ballclub? No, I won’t. But I’m not going to sit here today and tell you that I don’t know what a year from now might bring. This might be the final chapter of my baseball career. If there was something else I did, it certainly wouldn’t be in the role I had with the Rangers.”
There are currently no plans to name a new Rangers CEO, though Rob Matwick, executive vice-president of ballpark and event operations, will take on added responsibilities to assist. Davis and Simpson will rotate the job of representing the club at MLB meetings.
MLB commisioner said in a statement: “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank Nolan for his service to the Texas Rangers since 2008, a successful era that has been most memorable to the club’s fans. During times of significant change for the franchise, Nolan has been a constant — accessible, dedicated and an icon to his fellow Texans who love our game.
“Nolan’s unique perspective as a legendary player and an accomplished executive has been invaluable to the Rangers franchise. I am certain that Nolan will continue to be a great credit to Major League Baseball and an exemplary ambassador for the National Pastime in the state of Texas and beyond.”