Latest news with #DickMonfort
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shaikin: Why the small-market Milwaukee Brewers might be America's team
If you're a Dodgers fan, of course, you would love to see the Dodgers win the World Series again. If you're a baseball fan above all, though, you ought to be pulling for the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers served as a convenient bogeyman for owners of many other major league teams last winter. To fans pointing a collective finger at the owner of their local team, all too many of those owners pointed a finger in our direction: It's not us. It's them. 'The Dodgers are the greatest poster children we could've had for how something has to change,' Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort told the Denver Gazette last March. How, those owners shrugged, can we compete against a team playing in a major market and spending half a billion dollars on a star-studded roster? The Dodgers are 58-40. Read more: Dodgers are shut out by Brewers, but Tyler Glasnow shows signs of growth The Brewers play in the smallest market in the major leagues — Sacramento included, Denver definitely included. The Brewers are 57-40. This is not about a sprinkling of fairy dust. The Brewers have made the playoffs six times in the past seven years, prospering even beyond the financially motivated departures of star shortstop Willy Adames, Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and two-time National League reliever of the year Devin Williams, and even after manager Craig Counsell and president of baseball operations David Stearns left for teams in major markets. 'It's not really an abnormal year,' said designated hitter Christian Yelich, the Brewers' franchise anchor. 'Each year, we're picked to finish last or second-to-last in our division, regardless of what happened the year before.' The Brewers cannot pay the going rate for power, so they do not try. Of the free agents signed by Milwaukee last winter, the most expensive one in the lineup for Friday's victory at Dodger Stadium: outfielder Jake Bauers, signed for $1.4 million. Shortstop Joey Ortiz was obtained in the trade of Burnes; third baseman Caleb Durbin was acquired in the trade of Williams. The Brewers rank in the bottom 10 in the majors in home runs, but they rank in the top 10 in walks, stolen bases, sacrifice bunts and fewest strikeouts. 'We know what we are,' Yelich said. 'We know we're not going to have a lineup full of guys that hit 30 homers. You've got to force stuff to happen sometimes and try to put pressure on the other team and try to manufacture runs any way you can.' They are one of two teams — the Detroit Tigers are the other — to rank among the top 10 in runs scored and in earned-run average. No NL team has given up fewer runs than the Brewers. The Dodgers lead the majors in runs scored. In four games against Milwaukee, the Dodgers have scored a total of four runs. 'They can really pitch,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. 'The 'pen is lights out. They catch it. They play good defense. In totality, they do a good job of preventing runs.' Whether they can do a good job of deterring a lockout, well, that might be a whole other ballgame. Read more: Shaikin: Live from Atlanta: The next front in the war between MLB owners and players The collective bargaining agreement expires after next season. The owners have not explicitly stated a salary cap is their goal but, at least the way the players' union sees it, why else would commissioner Rob Manfred already be talking about a lockout as a means to an end? At the All-Star Game, union chief Tony Clark blasted the concept of a salary cap. 'This is not about competitive balance,' Clark said. 'This is institutionalized collusion.' A salary cap would provide owners with cost certainty and potential increases in franchise values, not that fans would care much about either. So, to the extent that owners might settle on a talking point in negotiations, what Manfred said at the All-Star Game would be it: 'There are fans in a lot of our markets who feel like we have a competitive balance problem.' If you're the union, you'll say MLB has not had a repeat champion in 25 years. If you're an owner, you'll say no small-market team has won the World Series in 10 years. Read more: Jacob Misiorowski is the talk of the All-Star Game. Why Dodgers are partially to thank If you're the union, you'll say expanded playoffs offer every team the chance to win a wild-card spot and get hot in October, as the 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks did two years ago. But, should the Brewers win the World Series this year, owners certainly would call it the exception that proves the rule. Over the past seven years, the Brewers have made the playoffs as many times as the Yankees have. Yet, for all their success in the regular season, the Brewers have not won a postseason series since 2018. Baseball has not lost a regular season game to a work stoppage since 1995, the last time the owners pushed hard for a salary cap. They might do so again next year, which would jeopardize the 2027 season, but to argue small markets need a salary cap to win after the team in the smallest market won the World Series might ring hollow. If the Brewers' success could derail the potential disaster that would be a work stoppage, America ought to be rooting on The Miz. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Why the small-market Milwaukee Brewers might be America's team
If you're a Dodgers fan, of course, you would love to see the Dodgers win the World Series again. If you're a baseball fan above all, though, you ought to be pulling for the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers served as a convenient bogeyman for owners of many other major league teams last winter. To fans pointing a collective finger at the owner of their local team, all too many of those owners pointed a finger in our direction: It's not us. It's them. 'The Dodgers are the greatest poster children we could've had for how something has to change,' Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort told the Denver Gazette last March. How, those owners shrugged, can we compete against a team playing in a major market and spending half a billion dollars on a star-studded roster? The Dodgers are 58-40. The Brewers play in the smallest market in the major leagues — Sacramento included, Denver definitely included. The Brewers are 57-40. This is not about a sprinkling of fairy dust. The Brewers have made the playoffs six times in the past seven years, prospering even beyond the financially motivated departures of star shortstop Willy Adames, Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and two-time National League reliever of the year Devin Williams, and even after manager Craig Counsell and president of baseball operations David Stearns left for teams in major markets. 'It's not really an abnormal year,' said designated hitter Christian Yelich, the Brewers' franchise anchor. 'Each year, we're picked to finish last or second-to-last in our division, regardless of what happened the year before.' The Brewers cannot pay the going rate for power, so they do not try. Of the free agents signed by Milwaukee last winter, the most expensive one in the lineup for Friday's victory at Dodger Stadium: outfielder Jake Bauers, signed for $1.4 million. Shortstop Joey Ortiz was obtained in the trade of Burnes; third baseman Caleb Durbin was acquired in the trade of Williams. The Brewers rank in the bottom 10 in the majors in home runs, but they rank in the top 10 in walks, stolen bases, sacrifice bunts and fewest strikeouts. 'We know what we are,' Yelich said. 'We know we're not going to have a lineup full of guys that hit 30 homers. You've got to force stuff to happen sometimes and try to put pressure on the other team and try to manufacture runs any way you can.' They are one of two teams — the Detroit Tigers are the other — to rank among the top 10 in runs scored and in earned-run average. No NL team has given up fewer runs than the Brewers. The Dodgers lead the majors in runs scored. In four games against Milwaukee, the Dodgers have scored a total of four runs. 'They can really pitch,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. 'The 'pen is lights out. They catch it. They play good defense. In totality, they do a good job of preventing runs.' Whether they can do a good job of deterring a lockout, well, that might be a whole other ballgame. The collective bargaining agreement expires after next season. The owners have not explicitly stated a salary cap is their goal but, at least the way the players' union sees it, why else would commissioner Rob Manfred already be talking about a lockout as a means to an end? At the All-Star Game, union chief Tony Clark blasted the concept of a salary cap. 'This is not about competitive balance,' Clark said. 'This is institutionalized collusion.' A salary cap would provide owners with cost certainty and potential increases in franchise values, not that fans would care much about either. So, to the extent that owners might settle on a talking point in negotiations, what Manfred said at the All-Star Game would be it: 'There are fans in a lot of our markets who feel like we have a competitive balance problem.' If you're the union, you'll say MLB has not had a repeat champion in 25 years. If you're an owner, you'll say no small-market team has won the World Series in 10 years. If you're the union, you'll say expanded playoffs offer every team the chance to win a wild-card spot and get hot in October, as the 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks did two years ago. But, should the Brewers win the World Series this year, owners certainly would call it the exception that proves the rule. Over the past seven years, the Brewers have made the playoffs as many times as the Yankees have. Yet, for all their success in the regular season, the Brewers have not won a postseason series since 2018. Baseball has not lost a regular season game to a work stoppage since 1995, the last time the owners pushed hard for a salary cap. They might do so again next year, which would jeopardize the 2027 season, but to argue small markets need a salary cap to win after the team in the smallest market won the World Series might ring hollow. If the Brewers' success could derail the potential disaster that would be a work stoppage, America ought to be rooting on The Miz.
Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Rockies promote owner's son to leadership role amid one of worst MLB starts
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have promoted the oldest son of team owner Dick Monfort amid one of the worst starts in baseball history. Walker Monfort was named executive vice president of the Rockies on Thursday and will immediately begin leading the team alongside outgoing President and COO Greg Feasel, who is stepping down at the end of this year after 30 seasons in their front office, the team announced. The Rockies went into Thursday's home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 18-62 record. Colorado's 81st game marked the midpoint of its regular season. Walker Monfort, 38, who had been the team's vice president of corporate partnerships since 2015, will officially assume Feasel's responsibilities by January. Feasel joined the Rockies in 1995 as vice president of sales and marketing. He was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2010 and club president in April 2021. 'Greg has been a pillar of this organization since its earliest days,' Rockies owner Dick Monfort said. 'His leadership and vision helped shape not only the Colorado Rockies organization, but the entire baseball community throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He has been instrumental in our many successes over the years and has been a strong and steady presence throughout the past three decades.' Feasel said it is bittersweet to be stepping aside, but that it was something he had discussed with the owner for several years. Walker Monfort began his career with the Rockies at an entry level, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments, including the grounds crew, gameday promotions, ticketing and visiting clubhouse from 2006-2009. He officially joined the front office in a full-time capacity in late 2009, working in minor league operations and player development through 2013. 'While we thank Greg for his impact and service, we are excited to turn the page into our next chapter with Walker,' Dick Monfort said. 'He brings a deep understanding of this organization, earned through his 20 years of experience working both within and alongside every department of our operation. He offers a fresh, forward-looking mindset, and we're confident his perspective, experience and leadership will benefit the club in the months and years to come.' ___ AP MLB:
Al Arabiya
26-06-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Rockies Promote Owner's Son To Leadership Role Amid One Of Worst MLB Starts
The Colorado Rockies have promoted the oldest son of team owner Dick Monfort amid one of the worst starts in baseball history. Walker Monfort was named executive vice president of the Rockies on Thursday and will immediately begin leading the team alongside outgoing President and COO Greg Feasel, who is stepping down at the end of this year after 30 seasons in their front office, the team announced. The Rockies went into Thursday's home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 18–62 record. Colorado's 81st game marked the midpoint of its regular season. Walker Monfort, 38, who had been the team's vice president of corporate partnerships since 2015, will officially assume Feasel's responsibilities by January. Feasel joined the Rockies in 1995 as vice president of sales and marketing. He was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2010 and club president in April 2021. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. 'Greg has been a pillar of this organization since its earliest days,' Rockies owner Dick Monfort said. 'His leadership and vision helped shape not only the Colorado Rockies organization but the entire baseball community throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He has been instrumental in our many successes over the years and has been a strong and steady presence throughout the past three decades.' Feasel said it is bittersweet to be stepping aside but that it was something he had discussed with the owner for several years. Walker Monfort began his career with the Rockies at an entry level, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments, including the grounds crew, game-day promotions, ticketing, and visiting clubhouse from 2006–2009. He officially joined the front office in a full-time capacity in late 2009, working in minor league operations and player development through 2013. 'While we thank Greg for his impact and service, we are excited to turn the page into our next chapter with Walker,' Dick Monfort said. 'He brings a deep understanding of this organization earned through his 20 years of experience working both within and alongside every department of our operation. He offers a fresh, forward-looking mindset, and we're confident his perspective, experience, and leadership will benefit the club in the months and years to come.'
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Son of Rockies' owner to lead struggling franchise
June 26 - Walker Monfort, the eldest son of Colorado Rockies owner and CEO Dick Monfort, is being put in charge of the struggling franchise. The Rockies announced Thursday that president and chief operating officer Greg Feasel will step down after 30 years with the franchise. The younger Monfort was named executive vice president, effective immediately, and will run the team along with Feasel through the end of the year before assuming control in January. "While we thank Greg for his impact and service, we are excited to turn the page into our next chapter with Walker," Dick Monfort said in a statement. "He brings a deep understanding of this organization -- earned through his 20 years of experience working both within and alongside every department of our operation. "He offers a fresh, forward-looking mindset, and we're confident his perspective, experience and leadership will benefit the club in the months and years to come." Walker Monfort, 38, most recently has served as vice president of corporate partnerships for the Rockies. Feasel, 66, has been with the franchise since 1995, two years after the expansion club began play in Denver. He started as vice president of sales and marketing and worked his way through the ranks before being named club president in April 2021. "Greg has been a pillar of this organization since its earliest days," Dick Monfort said. "His leadership and vision helped shape not only the Colorado Rockies organization, but the entire baseball community throughout the Rocky Mountain region." Colorado enters play Thursday with an 18-62 record, putting them on track to win just 36 games. That would break the record for most losses in a season set last year by the Chicago White Sox, who finished 41-121. The Rockies are coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons. In an interview with The Denver Post and Walker Monfort declined to discuss the future of general manager Bill Schmidt or talk about any other front office decisions. "Ultimately, we're open to anything, and I think that's where I want to keep it," he said. "I think we're open to whatever it takes to make the Colorado Rockies better. But I would say it's really about maximizing our resources, right? And if we don't have the right resources in place, we should figure out a way to get the right resources in place. That's not just from a staffing perspective, it's really everything." Walker Monfort said in the interview that he and his father are on the same page when it comes to turning around the product on the field. The Rockies have reached the postseason just five times in their 33-year existence, most recently in 2018. "I don't think our vision is different; I think we have a very similar vision," he said. "We both want the same thing for this organization. We want to be a very high-caliber baseball team with the best customer service and the best experience in baseball. "He's a partner in this. He's still the ultimate decision-maker. In the end, we're looking at getting this organization back to where it needs to be. And I think we can confidently say that we're going to do what we can to do that." --Field Level Media
