Stan Kasten's last official day running the Nationals came today, but the outgoing president was already talking about meetings and issues still on his agenda over the next few weeks. He's got a radio deal to negotiate, a spring training relocation to consider and any number of other items yet to address.
So the message of Kasten's press conference this afternoon was less "farewell" and more "see you around."
"The exit is kind of going to be slow motion," he said. "Because today is my last official day, but I'll be back later on this week to do some other stuff, next week and in a couple of weeks I'll be back. And I'm still very close to all the owners, all the people in the office. So I'll be in and out."
For more details from Kasten's 30-minute press conference -- during which he addressed the Esmailyn Gonzalez scandal, the attempt to move spring training from Viera, the possibility of becoming commissioner and why there has been no naming rights deal for Nationals Park -- read my story on CSNwashington.com.
13 comments:
The Kasten disconnect with the Washington fans continues even with his resignation. To even consider moving spring training so out of reach of the average DC fan would lock in his legacy.
Seems fitting that the phils would upstage another big moment in nats town.
StanK sez: "So I'll be in and out."
Yeah, OK, Mr. Undercoating. As long as we're definite on that "out" thing.
Still waiting for your apology on that Opening Day 2010 Philly Fiasco, sir...
Agreed...how no reporter or Mark asked him about that...his crowning legacy besides 298 losses in 3 years is beyond me......who cares about naming rights?
What is the advantage of moving spring training across country? Didn't the Dodgers move there to be close to their fan base? You'll have some more variation in teams to play, but no Nats fans in the park to watch them.
Absolutely makes no sense to move Spring Training to Arizona which doesn't serve your fanbase well in travel time.
I personally like a move to the Orlando area which would get the Nats playing more teams on the Gulf side.
I would be fine with an AZ move. It is just a plane ride issue really. Nats and other teams are doing this for lots of reasons.
Better Weather is the big one. Lower costs of travel and a better value form local government are thinks the Lerners will love. Players will love less time on buses (30 mins travel gets you to over 10 different teams in most cases as I recall) NO RAIN OUTS is huge when you are trying to get a team ready to play winning baseball in April.
Viera is a car ride, at least for some of us, and is a beautiful spot on the Atlantic and adjacent to the inter coast waterway. Very enjoyable and acessible for fans IMO.
Moving to Arizona is idiotic. What a wonderful way to build a new fan base and reward the most hard core of fans that go to every game and plan their vacations around spring training. Make them haul across the country to see them. Not to mention the time differential, which will make it harder to follow the games on the radio and TV for those that don't go. Maybe they can move it to Japan and play more teams in the Japanese league.
"Not to mention the time differential, which will make it harder to follow the games on the radio and TV for those that don't go."
Actually the time differential would make it easier for us fans in DC to follow along. They play ST games in the afternoon, so instead of us being at work when the games are on, they'd be on when we get home. This past ST I actually saw more of Manny Acta's Indians on TV here in DC (on MLB Network broadcasting live from AZ) than I did the Nats.
I go to spring training twice a year.....I would welcome the move out of Viera to any spot and AZ would be fine for me.
TV and Radio.....how many games are we talking.....FAR FAR TOO FEW...that is one reason I like to go twice...once the first week and then again to see some baseball.
Part of going to Viera is enjoying Melbourne and Cocoa Beach area too, last time I looked Arizona is landlocked so I prefer Florida.
I think we will miss Stan Kasten far less than Stan Kasten thinks we will. He is far from an indispensable man.
A new regime will begin to focus more heavily on local fan relations, IMO. They have to be looking at that 1.8 million attendance -- and the trajectory of attendance over the years -- and wonder what the fiscal impact of doing the things necessary to get that number to 2.8 million would be. Lerners may not be willing to spend money on payroll but may be willing to spend money making fans feel better watching a $61 million loser.
As far as moving to Arizona--I vote no. Just retired and planning driving trips to ST and relatives located nearby Viera.
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