OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

darkcloud4579 · 08-01-2003, 01:02 PM

CENTURION TO HARTFORD, DARK CLOUD HEADS TO LOS ANGELES
NEW JERSEY In a move few expected, the Centurion Sports Mgt. Group and its founder, Dark Cloud have parted ways again.

Dark Cloud, who previously headed Centurion operations in Oregon, New York and Tokyo, has been wooed by the Los Angeles Dodgers to a three year contract, to run the franchise as its President. The club is owned by MediaSource, a company owned by Dark Cloud friend T.D. Schofield and reports say he was given one task. "To win, to just win."

Despite being in the largest #2 television market and turning profits over $100 million each of the past six years, the Dodgers have languished in a very competitive NL West and after last season's disappointing 4th place finish despite the 8th highest payroll in baseball, Schofield, who bought the team last year decided it was time for a change.

"I didn't want to give the team up to anyone, but I knew I wanted DC here to run it," he said.

"I'm thrilled to be coming here. I honestly gave it some thought and I don't really have the stomach for another rebuilding project right now. I want to win, I want win a lot. Maybe the success we had earlier in my career has given me highest aspirations to feel like even though its crazy, that I can win every year. I'm glad that ownership here feels the same way and is receptive to helping me put together the type of club that will win ballgames night and night out," DC said.

HARTFORD ABUZZ
Centurion Sports Management signed a five year deal to run the new Hartford Whalers. The club, which moved from Minnesota is in the process of establishing its new offices in the city at UPS Field. The club is a young, talented club and new Centurion head Colby Sawyer is excited about the club's future.

"We're inheirenting a very talented club that has a lot of potential," said Sawyer, who said the team payroll wouldn't exceed $60 million during the first season. The club would then assess where it was after that first season. Currently, Hartford's payroll is third lowest in the league at $37 million.

Hartford is expected to go after an ace starter, as well as an upgrade at second base and in the outfield. "You can't do a whole lot with an upgrade of $20 million the way salaries are these days, but we can do what we can," said Sawyer.

WHAT'S LEFT IN TOKYO
The Tokyo Aeros and new GM Taki Daisuka, have a formidble task. To replace a team that won over 100 games last year. Centurion refused to sign any of the players who were free agents this year, meaning that most of the team was gone at the end of the season.

Despite that, there are a number of core players remaining that will ensure the team stays competitive in a very wide open AL Pacific. "I'm confident we'll be able to stay in the hunt," said Daisuka. Provided they don't make deals to get rid of them, the team has 3B Alan Hainkel, who is coming off one of his best seasons and is a free agent at the end of the season, RF Delmon Young, who is coming off his worst season in the majors, CF Dion Bronson and 21-year old catcher Jaron Kelding also factor as key components on paper to make up the favorite in the AL Pacific. The most important thing will be replace its young pitching staff. Only Roswell and Guile Molina return from the rotation of last year's club. Right now, the team would replace the others with rookies who have had moderate success, but are probably some of the best prospects in the game - during their primes - so its anyone's guess if the team will be successful.

"We're going to play hard and do what's best to keep this good thing going," he said.

08-01-2003, 01:02 PM	#323
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,711	DARK CLOUD, CENTURION PART WAYS CENTURION TO HARTFORD, DARK CLOUD HEADS TO LOS ANGELES NEW JERSEY In a move few expected, the Centurion Sports Mgt. Group and its founder, Dark Cloud have parted ways again. Dark Cloud, who previously headed Centurion operations in Oregon, New York and Tokyo, has been wooed by the Los Angeles Dodgers to a three year contract, to run the franchise as its President. The club is owned by MediaSource, a company owned by Dark Cloud friend T.D. Schofield and reports say he was given one task. "To win, to just win." Despite being in the largest #2 television market and turning profits over $100 million each of the past six years, the Dodgers have languished in a very competitive NL West and after last season's disappointing 4th place finish despite the 8th highest payroll in baseball, Schofield, who bought the team last year decided it was time for a change. "I didn't want to give the team up to anyone, but I knew I wanted DC here to run it," he said. "I'm thrilled to be coming here. I honestly gave it some thought and I don't really have the stomach for another rebuilding project right now. I want to win, I want win a lot. Maybe the success we had earlier in my career has given me highest aspirations to feel like even though its crazy, that I can win every year. I'm glad that ownership here feels the same way and is receptive to helping me put together the type of club that will win ballgames night and night out," DC said. HARTFORD ABUZZ Centurion Sports Management signed a five year deal to run the new Hartford Whalers. The club, which moved from Minnesota is in the process of establishing its new offices in the city at UPS Field. The club is a young, talented club and new Centurion head Colby Sawyer is excited about the club's future. "We're inheirenting a very talented club that has a lot of potential," said Sawyer, who said the team payroll wouldn't exceed $60 million during the first season. The club would then assess where it was after that first season. Currently, Hartford's payroll is third lowest in the league at $37 million. Hartford is expected to go after an ace starter, as well as an upgrade at second base and in the outfield. "You can't do a whole lot with an upgrade of $20 million the way salaries are these days, but we can do what we can," said Sawyer. WHAT'S LEFT IN TOKYO The Tokyo Aeros and new GM Taki Daisuka, have a formidble task. To replace a team that won over 100 games last year. Centurion refused to sign any of the players who were free agents this year, meaning that most of the team was gone at the end of the season. Despite that, there are a number of core players remaining that will ensure the team stays competitive in a very wide open AL Pacific. "I'm confident we'll be able to stay in the hunt," said Daisuka. Provided they don't make deals to get rid of them, the team has 3B Alan Hainkel, who is coming off one of his best seasons and is a free agent at the end of the season, RF Delmon Young, who is coming off his worst season in the majors, CF Dion Bronson and 21-year old catcher Jaron Kelding also factor as key components on paper to make up the favorite in the AL Pacific. The most important thing will be replace its young pitching staff. Only Roswell and Guile Molina return from the rotation of last year's club. Right now, the team would replace the others with rookies who have had moderate success, but are probably some of the best prospects in the game - during their primes - so its anyone's guess if the team will be successful. "We're going to play hard and do what's best to keep this good thing going," he said.