After nearly two months of silence on the matter, Rogers Communications confirmed Monday evening that Paul Beeston will return for one more season as Blue Jays president and CEO and then retire.
Beeston’s status had been up in the air since early December following reports that Rogers, the team’s owner, had been pursuing a replacement, namely Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams and Baltimore Orioles GM Dan Duquette, who were both under contract to their respective clubs.
The Jays were engaged in , but reportedly walked away this past weekend when Orioles owner Peter Angelos demanded a trio of minor-league prospects, including both of the Jays’ 2014 first-round draft picks, Jeff Hoffman and Max Pentecost.
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Rogers has been widely criticized throughout the weeks-long saga not only for their perceived ill-treatment of Beeston, their long-serving president, but also for the indiscreet — and perhaps rule-breaking — way in which they went about their head-hunting. White Sox president Jerry Reinsdorf, a good friend of Beeston’s, made clear to ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Sun baseball columnist Bob Elliott that he believed Rogers — specifically deputy chairman Edward Rogers — tampered with his employee and did not follow proper protocol. Similar, though less specific, allegations have emerged out of Baltimore.
Throughout it all Rogers had remained silent, until Monday.
“We have been in discussions with Paul about his future with the team since his contract expired in October,†Rogers said in Monday’s emailed announcement. “There were many rumours flying about, but it would have been inappropriate to comment on such matters publicly. Make no mistake — we are elated to have Paul continue to lead the team for this season.â€
Beeston, who will turn 70 this year, has served two stints as president and was famously the Blue Jays’ first employee, hired as an accountant in 1976. The Welland, Ont. native presided over the franchise’s early 1990s glory years and is enshrined on the Level of Excellence.
“I love this ball club and the fans,†he said in the joint statement. “I wake up every day thinking about the game and bringing another championship north of the border.â€
Rogers’ statement concludes by saying Beeston’s successor will take over when he retires at the end of this season. “We will not be commenting on the succession process or timing.â€
Brendan Kennedy is a reporter on the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Star’s
investigative team. Reach him via email: bkennedy@thestar.ca
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