BREAKING NEWS

by Patrick Bailey, Charleston Gazette
November 5, 2013

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Coal Sox have a new owner.

The sale of the team was announced at an unscheduled press conference this morning at the Coal Sox front offices in Allegheny Field.  Billionaire railroad tycoon Lan-quing Li was introduced to the media.

Li, well known among the business elite but obscure amongst the general public, is the owner of both the Asian Taiwanese Central Railway and the Dakota, Mississippi and Mexico Railroad in North America.  Li is a native of Taiwan who moved to the United States five years ago to take over as president of Kansas City Southern, which he renamed the Dakota, Mississippi, and Mexico after merging it with the Soo Line Railroad.  Li’s newly created company transformed the railroads from regional lines on the verge of bankruptcy into one profitable national line whose revenues are approaching those of other, much more massive railroad companies.

The press conference was lightly attended by the news media.  Many reporters were unprepared for the sort of truly newsworthy announcement presented at the gathering with absolutely no pomp and circumstance.  Coal Sox Vice President of Public Relations Katherine Bright briefly introduced Li before turning the podium over to the Taiwanese businessman.  Former owner Tyler Babcock was present for a photo opportunity with Li.  He was seen to exchange a few seemingly pleasant words with the new owner before exiting without taking questions.

Li, who spoke through a translator, kept his remarks vague and positive.  “I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to work with the fine people of this franchise, and I look forward to the many months ahead in what will assuredly be a busy off-season.”  Though his comment elicited a stirring from the crowd, he was likely simply referring to the process of transitioning to the new ownership group.

The future of the current team staff is unknown.  General manager Jane Pomfret, almost universally despised by the fan base in her first season leading West Virginia, was not present at the conference.

Several documents relating to the sale obtained by the Gazette from the Commissioner’s Office and dated from August of this year show that the sale has been in the works for some time.  Speculation surrounds the possibility that owning the team became a conflict of interest for Tyler Babcock, who now serves as the chief of staff for first-term congressman Corey Palumbo, though the reasons why are not known.

The Coal Sox are certain to experience an extreme culture shock.  Babcock, originally the youngest general manager and owner in the league, has now apparently completely detached himself from the team.  Li, aged 62, is certain to bring a radically different style to the team.

Stay tuned to the Gazette for complete off-season coverage of everything anthracite gray.