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Magowan Steps Down; New MGP Named

Will_clark_300_2_tiny by KCE on

Confirming what we already knew:

Peter Magowan will announce Friday that he plans to retire as the Giants' managing general partner and president at the end of this season, ending a 16-year reign that brought to San Francisco a new ballpark, Barry Bonds, a World Series and, ultimately, scorn as the team became the eye of the baseball steroids storm.

He will be replaced by William Neukom, former Microsoft lead counsel and president of the American Bar Association. Larry Baer, who has been the executive vice president of the Giants and right-hand man to Magowan, will step up to become team president.

There's also this tidbit about Sabean:

General manager Brian Sabean, whose contract runs through 2009, is expected to survive the management change and could emerge with more authority if Neukom takes a less visible role than Magowan did.

Ugh.

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Hopefully that’s like the dreaded “vote of confidence”...

Nuke’em needs to clean fucking house.

by WTF on May 16, 2008 11:18 AM PDT   0 recs

[insert Baer driving car joke]

people hate you, but why do they hate you? because the are jealous!

by satyricrash on May 16, 2008 11:21 AM PDT   0 recs

In my best Seinfed voice

“Hel-lo, NEUKOM.”

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on May 16, 2008 11:27 AM PDT   0 recs

Next Year's Marketing Slogan

2009 Giants: Let’s Nuke-’em!

by KCE on May 16, 2008 11:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So does that mean we’ll have Free Microsoft Licensing Night?

Adopted father of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on May 16, 2008 11:29 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dream on. I’d settle for Un-stupidly-complicated Microsoft Licensing Night.

No, really, I have updated my blog this year: http://skaldheim.livejournal.com/tag/baseball

by Skaldheim on May 16, 2008 11:32 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They don't make it anymore..

You have to go back to 2003.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on May 16, 2008 12:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Newcombe

people hate you, but why do they hate you? because the are jealous!

by satyricrash on May 16, 2008 11:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I assume one of our graphical talents is already hard at work on a Duke Neukom image…right?

All-Father Watch: 1.21 ERA, 4 saves, 0.99 WHIP, 22 Ks in 22 1/3 IP

by EliminateMe on May 16, 2008 11:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I can understand giving Sabean more power, because he SHOULD have more power. He’s a lifelong baseball man and the owner’s don’t know jack. And along with the more power, the more blame he will get when the team doesn’t win. He will also then be fired.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on May 16, 2008 11:41 AM PDT   0 recs

that makes way to much sense and therefore it is sure not to happen.

by Keenlow on May 16, 2008 12:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually kind of like this point. As long as Sabean doesn’t do any more damage before he gets canned..

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on May 16, 2008 2:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Can we skip step 2?

Let’s go right to the firing…

by Johnny Disaster on May 16, 2008 2:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

let's cut out the middleman

and fire his ass now.

Also, where’s the proof that he isn’t responsible for the current state of the team and that the owners meddled to the point of ruining the franchise?

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on May 16, 2008 3:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Magowan

Please bring us a winner Bill.

by wilriv21 on May 16, 2008 11:42 AM PDT   0 recs

+1

people hate you, but why do they hate you? because the are jealous!

by satyricrash on May 16, 2008 11:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is definitely a good thing. Unless it turns out to be a bad thing. In which case, I’m against it.

by Evan on May 16, 2008 11:45 AM PDT   0 recs

Well said

Unless it wasn’t.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 16, 2008 11:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I disagree.

But I concur.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 16, 2008 1:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Off of RotoWorld....

The AP has confirmed that Peter Magowan is stepping down as the Giants’ managing partner.
Magowan, 66, will retire at the end of the season.

There’s already been speculation that he’s essentially being punished by the league for turning a blind eye to the suspected steroid use from Barry Bonds and many other Giants under BALCO’s shadow. That’s definitely going to part of Magowan’s legacy. However, he’s hardly more guilty than many of the game’s other owners. Magowan deserves a great deal of credit for privately financing one of baseball’s best ballparks, whatever it’s name is now. It hasn’t yet been decided who will replace him as the team’s overseer.
Source: The Associated Press

Hard to argue that Magowan is the lone fall guy, considering the trail of used needles that leads to the White House among other assorted places. But “guilt by association” only applies to Barry Ballgame.

it's always noonan somewhere

by sectionop92 on May 16, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What is Rotoworld thinking?

It’s disgusting that Rotoworld did this in the first place. There was no reason to take a chance with a writer who doesn’t know the difference between “its” and “it’s.” However, this writer was allowed to continue and delivered a terrible performance after making this error just a few days before.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 16, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

actually....

The writer is using the right use of the word. They are referencing the ballpark as a possessive noun and since a noun is a person, place or thing, “it’s” suggests the name of the ballpark itself.

Correct English doesn’t always have to read well.

it's always noonan somewhere

by sectionop92 on May 16, 2008 6:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh boy....

You might want to run for cover, because calling this correct…

“whatever it’s name is now”

...is going to get a whole can of grammatical whupass opened up on you on this site.

by sularz on May 16, 2008 7:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope

With an apostrophe, it means “it is”

Without an apostrophe, it means “belonging to it”

This could not be more clear.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 16, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Do we need to open another grammar thread? Huh?

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 16, 2008 11:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You also have to like “It hasn’t yet been decided who will replace him as the team’s overseer.” Always up to the minute, that Rotoworld.

by Evan on May 16, 2008 8:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's something to look at....

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/16/SPM210NR19.DTL

This article shows some of the sports writing style when it come to the use of what we’re talking about. There is a big reason English majors don’t become journalists.

it's always noonan somewhere

by sectionop92 on May 16, 2008 9:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m not sure what your point is, but I bet the average newspaper copy editor knows a heck of a lot more about proper grammar than the average English major.

by Dan from NM on May 17, 2008 12:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You’re really not endearing yourself to me.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 17, 2008 1:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is it because they know the rules of English?

I’ll bet that’s why.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 17, 2008 3:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I read this on another board so I don’t know if it’s accurate, but a poster who claims to have inside info said that Magowan is stepping down because he is about to have some legal problems, problems that have nothing do with baseball.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on May 16, 2008 11:55 AM PDT   0 recs

After last night’s Office episode I am left wondering what it could be.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 16, 2008 11:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, Peter, you stepped down as MGP and drove your car in the same day. I am so proud of you.

by KCE on May 16, 2008 12:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

“I am so going to bang her.”

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on May 16, 2008 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He keeps his M&Ms at his desk so nobody takes them.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 16, 2008 12:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My favorite part of the episode was the two or three seconds that Andy’s parents were on screen. Comedy gold.

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on May 16, 2008 1:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought that Jan had hit rock bottom crazy at the Dinner Party but last night…OH. MY. GOD. It is to say I love that she’s completely wacky shack.

And seriously I wish my office parties were as cool as the party they threw for Toby. why can’t I have Darryl’s band?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 16, 2008 1:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That sweatervest was rockin’.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 16, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+ 50,000

Great episode last night. Except that now I f’ing despise Andy more than ever. Dude…why’d you have to ruin the moment for Jim and Pam you ass!

I like that they’re going slow with the whole Jim/Pam storyline….but dammit I don’t want to have to wait through the summer to watch him pop the question.

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on May 16, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Was illegal casino dealings with the governor of Louisiana?

-- Born Yesterday

by thatdog on May 16, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

At least he doesn’t have a sister with an idiot husband.

Adopted father of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on May 16, 2008 12:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you said it brother

we can complain all we want about the Giants ownership situation but it is about 10 million times better than the clusterfuck that has destroyed the once great 49ers.

by JayCanizaro on May 16, 2008 1:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m waiting for the day that Jed York takes control. I’m sure he’ll let uncle Eddie and uncle Carmen back in the fray.

Adopted father of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on May 16, 2008 1:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's Peter Gammons? Yeesh...

He’s slipped a bit. He looks less and less like Paul McCartney too.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on May 16, 2008 12:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, but Paul McCartney looks less and less like Paul McCartney too.

All-Father Watch: 1.21 ERA, 4 saves, 0.99 WHIP, 22 Ks in 22 1/3 IP

by EliminateMe on May 16, 2008 2:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is he there for a speech about his popcorn recipe?

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 16, 2008 1:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope, he’s too busy selling that delicious southern fried chicken. It’s got eleven herbs and spices don’t ya know.

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on May 16, 2008 3:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"blue blood" is more like it

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on May 16, 2008 3:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Magowan...

seems like he’s been a pretty decend GMP for SF. Maybe he and Sabean haven’t made the greatest choices, which I’ll conced may not make him the greatest, but he seems like he’s done well for them. Any concerns on the new guy?

by passionately objective on May 16, 2008 12:10 PM PDT   0 recs

I’m concerned that the new guy will stop trying to make everyone play 1B.

by WTF on May 16, 2008 12:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Newsom?

Oh … right … damn.

No marriages in the Giants clubhouse …
YET.

Notgardo, I still love you -- but you're grounded. No Guitar Hero for a month, no Cheez-Its for two months, and NO BASEBALL! This hurts me as much as it hurts you.

by tk on May 16, 2008 12:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Hey Mayor, are you still able to marry the same sex couples?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 16, 2008 12:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Andy Baggerly's Mercury report...

... can be found here.

808-KNBR your thoughts…

General Manager Brian Sabean, who is signed through 2009, has the support of the ownership group and could be granted more authority with the change in upper management.

by Ed Jew on May 16, 2008 12:57 PM PDT   0 recs

crap

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on May 16, 2008 3:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

.

I ain’t gunna lie Magowan drafted excellent pitching for us. Godspeed Magowan, Godspeed.

by ejdacanay on May 16, 2008 1:04 PM PDT   0 recs

?

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 16, 2008 2:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for another jinxing

now go /wrists please

Adopted father of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on May 16, 2008 2:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Giants war room in 2006

Tidrow: I was thinking about maybe picking up drabek, because-
Magowan: Lincecum.
Sabean: Oh come on Peter. We’ve been in baseball a long time! We know what we’re-
Magowan: Lincecum
Tidrow: This isn’t fair!
Magowan: I was right about Cain, right?
Sabean: ...yeah.
Magowan: And I was right that you overdrafted Aardsma, right?
Tidrow: ...yeah.
Magowan: Lincecum.
Sabean: Fine, but if this doesn’t work out I am so quitting.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 16, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The SJ Giants reupped their affiiation through 2012, IIRC. I think that would have bearing on it.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 16, 2008 1:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

As lawyers for MGP's go

I hope he is more Edward Bennett Williams and less Peter Angelos.

by out machine on May 16, 2008 1:18 PM PDT   0 recs

You mean you hope he’s been dead for 20 years?

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on May 16, 2008 1:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we’d all settle for 10 or so.

All-Father Watch: 1.21 ERA, 4 saves, 0.99 WHIP, 22 Ks in 22 1/3 IP

by EliminateMe on May 16, 2008 2:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

MGP!
MGP!
MGP!

by WTF on May 16, 2008 2:08 PM PDT   0 recs

Magowan GETS down

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 16, 2008 2:19 PM PDT   0 recs

That's obviously fake.

Peter Magowan is not wearing pink.

people hate you, but why do they hate you? because the are jealous!

by satyricrash on May 16, 2008 2:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It’s called salmon…not pink.

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on May 16, 2008 3:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Magowan's letter

Dear Seyheystretch,

I wanted to let you know that today I will officially announce that I have decided to retire as president and managing general partner of the San Francisco Giants, effective at the end of this baseball season. I will be succeeded as managing general partner by Bill Neukom, currently a general partner in the ownership group. Giants Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Larry Baer will become President, effective October 1. I will remain a partner in our ownership group and, of course, I will always be a Giants fan – as I have been since I was eight years old.

The decision to retire was not an easy one. But it is the right one for my family and me. I have spent the last 29 years as head of two incredible organizations – Safeway and the Giants. I put everything I had in terms of time, energy and commitment into my work and inevitably I made some sacrifices. Now I’d like to spend more time with my family. Four years ago I had one grandchild, and now I have ten. This just seems like the right time for me to move on.

As I look back on my 16 years with the Giants, we have shared many wonderful memories together. First, with your help, the community banded together to keep the team here instead of moving to Florida. And then the baseball we saw together – the 103 win ‘93 season; the ‘97 team that went from last place the previous year to the division championship; our first season in our new park (2000) when we won more games than any other team in baseball; the 2001 year when we saw Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs; the 2002 year when we came so close to winning the World Series; the 2003 season when we again won 100 games and our division.

And I remember the heartaches – all of them. Losing on the last day of the ‘93 season; losing the ‘98 wild card game to the Cubs; losing the ‘00 playoffs when it sure seemed like momentum was on our side; the sixth game of the ‘02 World Series; the ‘03 playoffs when, again, we appeared to have the momentum to get into the World Series; the ‘04 season where we lost on the last day. And, of course, the disappointments of the ‘94/’95 baseball strike and the failures of the last three years. As Bart Giamatti once said, “baseball is a game that is designed to break your heart.”

Through all the good times and the bad I have valued the support that so many of you have been able to give to the organization and to me. If it were not for that support our beautiful ballpark would never have been built – as our fans stepped up and made a personal investment to build a ballpark with no cost to the taxpayer. With your support the Giants have drawn more than 3 million fans the first eight years in our new home – becoming one of only four teams in the history of baseball to do so.

And finally, with your support we were able to reach out and connect with the community in truly meaningful ways, such as growing the Giants Community Fund so that 15,000 boys and girls can participate in baseball through our Junior Giants program and through the nine beautiful baseball fields we built or renovated in low-income areas throughout our community.

I feel like I have gotten to know many of you. I think I understand how much you care about our Giants. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver to you what you truly deserve – a World Series championship. I know our entire organization will do whatever it can to achieve this ultimate goal. With your continued support we will get there. Thank you again for all of the fond memories and I look forward to seeing you around the ballpark.

Sincerely,

Peter A. Magowan

by seyheystretch on May 16, 2008 3:22 PM PDT   0 recs

So what he’s saying is that, really, he just needs to take his life on a new tact right now?

-

Also, I never would have guessed that your real name was sayheystretch. Man, your parents must have loved the Giants.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 16, 2008 3:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs