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A Change at the Top

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 2:07 am
by Borealis
(The Front Page version is here)

Changes Afoot at Golden Entertainment
Charles A. Squibber, San Francisco Chronicle Business Editor
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December 11, 2027: San Francisco, California – Golden Entertainment, the entertainment and sports giant, founded in 1851 and based in San Francisco announced to shareholders at their annual year-end meetings, held at the Moscone Center – North, that they would be undergoing a structural realignment at the corporate level.

Curiously attending the announcement were Golden Board members William Topham, the General Manager of the company-owned Aurora Borealis of the Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance, his brother Michael Topham, Jr, the ball club’s President-CEO, who took over upon their father’s death, and Aurora press secretary Duane Castle.

Golden Chief Financial Officer Edward Castle entered the room, stepped to the podium and addressed the crowd. “This will be a brief statement,” he began “and there will not be a question/answer session to follow.” That hushed the lingering members of the crowd who had failed to notice his arrival. “Beginning immediately, I will be resigning my post as CFO at Golden to explore other career options. It has been a great pleasure of mine to serve the family business for the past 25-years, and thank my deceased cousin, Michael Topham, for the opertunity that he bestowed upon me.” And with that he glanced to his left, with a subtle nod towards the younger Topham’s, and walked off stage to a collective, shocked, chatter.

The stage quickly emptied, and an intern came to the stage and point the audience to the exits, where other interns held printed statements – which announced the appointment of Castle’s brother, Wellman Castle, formerly of Aurora’s failed casino efforts, as new CFO.

Early reports on The Street’s expectations for Golden Entertainment are mixed, with prices droping slightly (-0.2%) once the news was made public. Brokers at both Morgan Stanley and Charles Schwab both expressed concern about Wellman Castle’s financial acuity after his inabilities to make the Golden Casino project a reality.

Re: A Change at the Top

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:24 am
by Sandgnats
And the story continues... :clap:

Re: A Change at the Top

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:25 am
by Borealis
Stay tuned...

Re: A Change at the Top

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:27 am
by Borealis
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PEBA Shocker, Ragland Resigns
Francis Ferry, NLN baseball beat writer

December 14, 2027: Asheville, North Carolina – In a move that was shocking to the entire PEBA community. Morris Ragland, Commissioner and former GM of the Okinawa (Naha) Shisa, suddenly announced his resignation at a hastily organized press conference at PEBA HQ.

In a terse statement that lacked emotion – given in front of a small contingent of writers, Ragland read his brief announcement.

“I am here today to announce that as of today, I resign my post as the Commissioner of the Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance.” Ragland stated. “The reasons for my decision are private and shall remain that way. I wish the League the best and good luck in their search for leadership that is appropriate for the needs of the League, the players and the ownership.”

And that was it. Brief. To the point. And with no questions – to which there were a lot, were answered. There were a number of GMs, upon contacting them who alluded to ‘rumors’, but no one would elaborate as to what those rumors were.

I spoke with Aurora GM, Will Topham, who expressed little shock at the move but would not speak as to why. When I asked him if he had any ideas as to who may step up to replace Morris Ragland as GM, Topham’s reply was a short, “No Comment.”

Re: A Change at the Top

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:22 pm
by Borealis
(Main Page Article Here)
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Golden’s Castle Tabbed as New PEBA Commish
Ray D. Enze, NLN baseball Blogger

December 17, 2027: Asheville, North Carolina – It came from way out of left field. Somewhere stage right, perhaps. Not directly from within the PEBA community, but certainly no stranger. Not a former GM, as the Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance has done in the past – where the previous six Commissioners came straight out of the General Managers office. Nope. This time around, the owners and GMs of the PEBA searched outside the box and nabbed someone from Big Business. Someone with organizational and financial experience to lead what was once a small league-business venture, but has now become exactly what he’s familiar with – Big Business.

Today, in front of a large crowd of reporters, League and team personnel, the PEBA presented their 7th Commissioner in their 22nd season. That person is Edward ‘Harry’ Castle, 69, the former-CFO of Golden Entertainment – the overseeing corporate entity that owns, amongst other things, the Aurora Borealis. Castle, a cousin of the Topham clan that has owned the Borealis since their purchase of the team from the Estate of the late John Rodriguez, Sr (in 2011), has been credited for increased earnings for the company over the last 10-years. His resignation from Golden, three days ago, caught The Street by surprise, and perhaps unexpectedly has contributed to the company’s 3% stock decline over the past three days.

Aurora GM, Will Topham, addressed the crowd, introducing the PEBA’s new leader. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to inform you that the Leagues leadership has wasted no time in it’s search for a new Commissioner.” A smile crossing his face, “We wanted someone whose experiences were outside the world of baseball, and yet was not totally out of the loop. I felt confident about who fit that description, made my recommendation to the search committee, and a brief interview process sealed the deal.” Topham scanned the crowd, sipped his water and continued, “I vouch for this guy. He’s not a stranger to the PEBA backrooms. A truly calm, steady influence in any boardroom, I am confident that when the public gets to know Harry, you will agree. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you my friend, and our new Commissioner, Edward Castle.”

To great applause Castle rose and strode to the podium – for a second time in a week. He gently bowed to the audience, then turned to the collection on the stage – Topham, GMs Duane Rudis (Kentucky), Dylan Krupilis (Toyama) and Reg LeBlanc (New Orleans). Aurora owner Michael Topham, Jr and former-Aurora GM and 2nd Commissioner of the PEBA John Rodriguez, Jr and new Golden CFO, Wellman Castle (Edward’s brother) all stood to honor the new PEBA Head.

“Thank you,” Castle began. “I am honored to be the one who has been selected to lead this League forward. The PEBA has experienced some challenges over the past few years – challenges that would have taken a lesser organization down. It is my experience that organizations that survive trying times abound with leaders; strong leaders. That is what I have seen, looking into the heart of the PEBA all these years. Strong Leaders.” A small cough cleared his throat, and then he continued. “I come to this job not just as a numbers man. I know the numbers – sure, but I know the people in organizations across the league. I’ve established relationships. I’m not just a bumped up GM – I’m an outsider with a fresh look and I’m an insider who knows where things work and where they don’t.” He looked up from his notes and looked firmly at the collection of people in the audience. “It is my goal for openess and transparency. I am here to serve you.” And with that he spread his hands out to the crowd and opened them wide, in a collective nature.

Edward Castle will be the 7th Leader of the PEBA, following in the footsteps of John Rodriguez, Sr (2007 - 2010), who was replaced by his son, John Rodriguez, Jr (2011 - 2018), upon his death and sale of the Borealis. Former-GM of the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo, Matt Higgins (2019 - mid-2023) followed, his tempestuous personality being his hallmark, promising to never leave a crowd bored. Englishmen Nigel Laverick (mid-2023 - mid-2024), the former-GM of numerous clubs, including London followed Higgins to begin a carousel of Commissioners, with Reg LeBlanc (mid-2024 - 2025) and then Morris Ragland of Okinawa (2026 - 2027) following in short order. Castle, coming into the job with a lack of… distraction, if I can use that word, bodes well for the League. Well… one can always hope.

Castle will be jumping into the pot while the water is boiling – the Rule 5 Draft is on the horizon. The entire League has signed on with a new German tech company (OOTP, Orangenhaut Organisieren Technisch Programme) to revamp the League’s entire communications system. The draft system is in need of renegotiating with the Players Union and a living, breathing Constitution is also in need of some… clarity. When I had a moment with Castle, he simply told me he was “ready to hit the ground running.”