An open letter to Ken Kendrick

micmac99
Baseball Fan
Downtown Phoenix

Ken Kendrick
Managing General Partner
Arizona Diamondbacks

9/3/2006

Mr. Kendrick:

I am glad baseball is in Arizona. Up until this weekend I was more than happy to support the Diamondbacks. At this point - despite the fact that the Diamondbacks are poised in the years to come to be one of the more sucessful and exciting teams in all of Major League Baseball to watch and to support - I am not so sure.

Many factors that have transpired this season have caused me to seriously question whether or not you should continue to remain in your position as managing general partner of this franchise.

1. Your apparent orchestration of the departure of Jerry Colangelo in 2004. Your (and the other partners) apparent disagreements with Mr. Colangelo are well noted and justified. However, the virtual firing of the founder of this franchise and someone who still garners tremendous respect as a capable and influential leader in American professional sports frankly baffles me, in the way it was handled.

2. Your accepting Jeff Moorad as the public face of the general partners, and Moorad's significantly diminished role as such, as this season has progressed. Why bring him on in the first place if you will not use him?

3. Your handling of the Jason Grimsley affair.

4. The overall team morale, which in my best observation has suffered this season, and I feel that is a major contributing factor in the less-than-stellar on the field performance of an otherwise strongly talented team. With the mix of youth and veterans - even with the pitching staff in place as of today - there is no reason why this team should be over 8 games out of first place. I am also afraid that quality players, who can help this franchise win championships, will either elect to leave or otherwise not come to the Diamondbacks in part because of the tone you have set this season.

4a. Your failure to acknowledge that certain members of the fan base are not happy with the on-the-field gameday decisions by Mr. Melvin and his staff. While I respect Mr. Melvin, there are other fans who are regular posters to this forum who do not. There are those who strongly believe that Mr. Melvin, who has been in the game of baseball the better part of 25 years and has played or coached under some of the best minds in the sport such as Roger Craig and Phil Garner, does not have total freedom to manage the team in the way he sees fit.

5. Your implicit and rather audacious slap in the face to Mr. Colangelo (and all who honor and remember his years of successful leadership of the Suns) by announcing a radical and unneccesary change to the color scheme of the ballclub, which is one of the few remaining remnants of Mr. Colangelo's impressive effort to bring Major League Baseball to Arizona, and to be creative and innovative in having such team be competitve on the field in opposition to the traditional trend of expansion franchises to take years if not decades to become competitive.

I have made countless posts on this message board defending the actions of Mr. Colangelo, and showing my understanding of why he took the financial route he did, so I will not rehash them here.

There are others on this board who have over the entire course of this season had the audacity to suggest that my views and opinions are without merit and represent the views of "whiners" and "casual fans" with their heads stuck inside certain bodily cavities. To them I say to each his own, I will not budge, just give me the pleasure of posting them as long as I am following the Terms of Service of this message board, and feel free to ignore such comments as you see fit - I certainly shall exercise similar rights.

And to you, Mr. Kendrick, I say:

1. I call for you to step down from your position as managing general partner effective the end of the 2006 postseason and sell your financial interest in the Arizona Diamondbacks to a businessman or group of such, with much stronger local and regional ties, respect, and public esteem in Phoenix, Tucson and statewide. Such men will have a greater inclination to act in the best interest of the Diamondbacks, their fans, and to the people of Arizona. I have posted a partial listing on this board earlier today of those who might be possible considerations. This should be done for the long-term greater good of the Diamondbacks franchise.

2. If you are not willing to do that, please consider hiring or promoting a team president to assume all major executive duties not under the responsibility of the General Manager or other player-related executives, with absolutely no interference of any sort from yourself or the other partners except in the most drastic of situations. Rich Dozer has proven himself to be one of the most excellent and capable executives in American professional sports and is a strong tie to the ownership tenure of Mr. Colangelo. I would suggest he be team president in more than a nominal fasion. He would also be an excellent candidate for Managing General Partner and one I would be strongly inclined to support.

I also hope that you will continue to grant Josh Byrnes complete autonomy to shape the on-the-field presence of the Diamondbacks as he sees fit, with absolutely no interference from yourself or the other general partners whatsoever, unless the performance of the team is unacceptable to the point where action must be taken.

3 If you are not willing to do 1 and 2 then I will have no choice to be a strong advocate for an outside group to form a corporation and purchase the Diamondback franchise, operate it as a public corporation on the model of the Green Bay Packers, and give control of Arizona's team back to Arizona's fans.

By these comments and others that I have made on this board, please do not infer that I hold you in less-than-high regard or respect as a person. I do not know you personally and upon meeting you personally, if I were to have the chance to do so, I might find you a pleasant individual. However, as a fan of the game of baseball and of the Diamondbacks from the inception of the franchise, I am somewhat uncomfortable with much of the direction of the team I waited over seven years to arrive in this state, with the exception of the high caliber of talent assembled in the minor league system (the responsibility in large part of Mike Rizzo, who is making a tremendous name for himself as a baseball executive).

The dismissal of Colangelo, even if there was no choice but to do so for the good of the franchise, was handled badly enough. Now you have to get rid of his colors. To this fan, that is unacceptable.

I don't expect a response from you. This is more for the perusal of the others on this board. I would suspect that you may never read this and never even be aware that some of the fans even think this way.

In any case, thank you, Mr. Kendrick, and thanks to the Diamondbacks and to Major League Baseball for giving me - and those who disagree with me - a forum to express our opinions, angry as well as joyful, about the team we love so much.

I will make a decision over the course of the offseason whether to continue as a fan of this team. And whether I choose to support this team publicly in 2007 or not, I will always support the fact that Phoenix and Arizona, the city and state that I love more than any other, dared to dream big and get Major League Baseball.

My crazy idea: let the FANS own the D-Backs

(The following was posted to the official D-Backs message board as an ongoing response to the announced uniform change.)

As you all know, I am not a supporter of managing general partner Ken Kendrick. I have been in disagreement over many things about the Diamondbacks but the announcement of the color and uniform change was the last straw for me. Adding insult to injury as a fan. You folks know how I feel by now, if not, go back and read my posts the last day or so.

So I wondered aloud on another thread if the D-Backs would be better off under a new majority owner such as an Ira Fulton or an Eddie Basha, men with strong local ties and just as respected here in this state as Jerry was.

But I started thinking...

Why not have the fans own the Diamondbacks?

Why can't WE, the FANS, be the owners?

Why can't we send a message to the Major League Baseball powers that be that baseball is first and foremost a PASTIME for the enjoyment and edification of the FANS?

Yes, baseball is structured as a business. Some of you were quick to point that out. But the problem with the entire sport of baseball, IMO, is that we have too many greedy businessmen running the teams. Businessmen who put profit and maximizing revenue above the greater good of the sport. Steinbrenner is building New Yankee Stadium as we speak and not one cent of those revenues from the new, modern, state-of-the-art facility is going to be shared with the Diamondbacks or any other franchise in baseball. Major League Baseball right now is "every team for himself and if you don't have the money, it suxxx to be you" which is IMO just plain unfair and runs against the idea of sportsmanship and the ideals of a level playing field and making things fair for all - ideals I think we all agree we want our kids to learn.

The Green Bay Packers, the legendary NFL team, are the only major professional sports franchise in this country organized all by itself as a publicly traded company. The Packers have shareholders. They incorporated in 1923 and had IPO's from time to time to raise money. Their latest IPO raised the money to renovate Lambeau Field.

Why can't we use the Packers as our model and form a new Diamondbacks, a democratically elected Diamondbacks, and take our team back from the KenCo's? Why can't the Diamondbacks be the People's Team???

I know of no restriction in the rules of Major League Baseball that would prevent this, and the other owners of the teams have no reason to object as other clubs are owned by publicly traded companies:

Atlanta Braves [Time Warner]
Chicago Cubs [Tribune Company]
Seattle Mariners [Nintendo of America]
Toronto Blue Jays [Rogers Communiations]

How it would work:

Forbes Magazine listed the Diamondbacks as having a franchise value of $305 million. (reprinted in the Phoenix Business journal, April 21, 2006). If the team were put up for sale today that would most likely be the asking price.

A corporation could be formed for the express purpose of raising funds to buy the team outright. Call it "Purple Baseball Corporation (PBC)". Shares of PBC stock can be issued that combined, add up to the total sale price of the franchise.

I am using the Packers as an example.

Priced at $200 per share (or whatever), fans can buy enough shares of PBC during an IPO that could last the offseason. Prospectus and other info could be sent to season ticket holders, MVP Rewards members, etc., and the IPO should be heavily promoted in the news media, on ESPN, FSN, etc. The coverage on ESPN alone would generate interest from thousands of fans across this country.

First priority would be given to residents of the Diamondbacks territory as defined by Major League Baseball which I think is the entire state of Arizona and possibly parts of Nevada, Texas and New Mexico.

(The rest is semi-verbatim from the Packers article on Wikipedia.) Shares of stock would include voting rights, but the redemption price is minimal, no dividends are ever paid, the stock cannot appreciate in value, and stock ownership brings no season ticket privileges.

No shareholder may own over 200,000 shares, a safeguard to ensure that no one individual can assume control of the club. To run the corporation, a board of directors would elected by the stockholders. (my note: have the annual meeting at Chase Field each year.) The board of directors in turn elect a seven-member Executive Committee (officers) of the corporation, consisting of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and three members-at-large. The president is the only officer to draw compensation; The balance of the committee is sitting "gratis."

(Now my comments again) Once this PBC would be established, the team would be purchased and operations would continue under the corporation with the team president being the CEO and the public face of the corporation.

All this could be done in time for spring training, people.

That is assuming the other partners would sell and the other MLB owners approve the sale.

Does this make sense? Why or why not? Let's debate this one.

What Sedona Red is REALLY all about

The color change is symbolic of the Kendrick regime completely disrespecting the foundation laid by Jerry Colangelo. I have posted comments time and time again on how Colangelo is always unfairly labeled the bad guy for the deferred compensation issue which brought this state a World Series championship. This is just a final slap in the face, a final "this is my franchise now" and "don't let the door hit you on the way out" type of a power move and frankly, it leaves a very, very sour taste in my mouth. Legitimate national marketing concerns aside.

I understand how many people are saying "c'mon it's only a color - get over it," but the colors mean something. Ask any alumnus of ASU or the U of A if it's OK to change THEIR colors and see what response you get. We were on the path to building a tradition with the purple and you admitted as much by saying let's get the change done now while the franchise is still young.

If Mr. Kendrick had conducted the Colangelo departure, the Grimsley situation, the Gonzo situation, etc., with a little more tact and a little more respect I might be more apt to give "Sedona Red" a chance and maybe even embrace it as a fresh start for the 2007 pennant run. But I do not agree that Kendrick has a genuine respect for the fans that pay a good portion of the bills for "Red Roof Inn at the BOB". I feel Kendrick only is in the business of baseball to make a profit for himself and the "shareholders"; I do not get the sense that he sees baseball as something close to a public trust, which is how the best owners regard the sport as.

Baseball is not the same as banking or manufacturing or retailing. Baseball is an entertainment medium. Baseball exists to give moments of joy and pleasure to the fans. And you know what? some years the team will not post a profit at the end of the FY. And that's OK because baseball is more than just the bottom line. Baseball is the national pastime. Baseball is a public trust.

Jerry Colangelo, one of the greatest executives the sporting world has ever known, had the consummate understanding of that. His impact and legacy regarding caring about the fans and providing a quality product in every aspect of operations lives on in such traditions as the Suns Gorilla - I don't see anyone bashing the Gorilla. He has also restored honor to the USA in international basketball competition.

Jerry Colangelo was the right choice to be head of the Phoenix baseball effort in the '90's. Jerry was one of the most popular men in this state, more so than a lot of the politicians here at the time. Jerry did all the things he was supposed to do to create a winner here in Phoenix. He set up a farm system which took some time to get going but is now regarded as one of the better systems in the sport. He got proven veterans here and paid them using an innovative compensation system that gave this club the most financial flexibility possible under a revenue system in this sport which is utterly unfair, asinine and horrific. (Revenue sharing needs to be implemented in baseball for its long-term survival or else baseball will be just 6 or 8 teams with the most money in 25 years.)

In my opinion there is absolutely no reason for the one lasting contribution everyone knows is most closely associated with Jerry - the colors - to be so summarily dismissed and just wantonly discarded as to say, "Jerry, you founded this ballclub but now you're gone so good riddance."

With the implementation of "Sedona Red", it is almost as if the FO is saying that all of us who cheered for a team in this state while being led by a man who was idolized in this state for giving us our moments of glory with the Suns and the 2001 WS championship - but is now persona non grata - are now no longer welcome as Diamondback fans. It is a slap in the face and is quite cruel and quite sad.

So the fact that "it's just a color", that's not quite the whole story. This isn't about a kid in Iowa who won't buy a jersey. This is about respect, and complete and total lack thereof, for the man that gave this state Major League Baseball and all of us who remember and still choose to honor.

In my opnion this franchise should still be in Jerry's hands to this day. We might actually be in first place.

Sedona Red and other travesties

It was recently announced that the Diamondbacks are planning a major change to their uniforms and colors. Purple apparently will be discontinued as a color of the team.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0901dbackscolors.html

I was livid.

Here's what I said on the official Diamondbacks message board:

"IMO it's all the big power grab by Kenny Boy KenCo.

"F Jerry Colangelo! This is my team now, b!!!!!"

I will also NEVER spend one red cent on "Sedona Red".

That's like the Yankees changing their uniform colors to Day-Glo reds and blues because NYC is the home of Broadway - or silver and black to match a subway train.

That's like the Dodgers changing the Dodger blue to UCLA powder blue because they are close to the ocean (actually that is the actual rationale behind the Padres' color change)

That's like the Cubs changing their blue to brick red and green because of the Wrigley ivy covered walls.

The Mets colors make sense. Dodger blue/white with Giants orange trim. The two NYC teams that the Mets now replaced (1962).

The Giants colors made even more sense when they moved to SF than they did in NYC. The Giants orange looks a lot like the orange of the Golden Gate bridge.

Next we'll hear this:

"The Diamondbacks have announced that the nickname of the team will be the Phoenix Firebirds, effective November 1."

Why don't we just call ourselves the Arizona Buttes? The Arizona CanyonClimbers? Since we're just B-slapping the history of this team up and down West Van Buren Street! Holy cowwwwww!!!!!..."


On Friday I sent a message to the FO just now using the "Contact Us" link on this very website:

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Hello:

As someone who was thrilled in the early 1990's when Jerry Colangelo (who at the time was one of the most highly regarded executives in all of American professional sports) spearheaded the effort to bring a much deserved Major League Baseball franchise to the state of Arizona, I am appalled, shocked and dismayed on hearing the recent rumors that the team is about to announce a major change to the team colors effective the end of this postseason, which may include the discontinuance of the Diamondbacks signature purple color.

I would hope that the Diamondback organization would take a second look as to how such a move could potentially create a substantial negative reaction among the fan base.

In my opinion, the purple color has become as synonymous with professional sports in the Phoenix market as yellow and black have been in Pittsburgh. The decision to choose purple as a signature color was only the most appropriate choice given the longtime rock-solid fan loyalty in this market to the Phoenix Suns of the NBA.

A color change, while it may be a signal that the new ownership would like to make a clean start after the arguably controversial departure of Mr. Colangelo from the Diamondback franchise, nonetheless would be, frankly, a huge slap in the face to those many loyal and dedicated fans that have followed this franchise for 10+ years. These are fans who gathered in the tens of thousands in Copper Square to celebrate a World Championship in 2001 - as well as fans who willingly endured a 100+ loss season.

I would ask that the management and ownership of the Arizona Diamondbacks respectfully give the strongest possible reconsideration to any plans to change the team colors. The purple and turquoise mean as much to D-Back fans as any player. Over the years, these colors have been cemented in the minds and hearts of we the fans as much as the likes of Randy Johnson, Luis Gonzalez and now, Eric Byrnes. We will most certainly continue to support the players as they retool and recharge for a fresh run at a National League championship in 2007, but without the purple, something will just not seem right with the world.

Thanks very much for listening.

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