John Sherman has been a familiar face to Major League Baseball owners. To Kansas City Royals fans, he will become one after the other MLB owners officially approved his ownership of the team at their meeting in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday.
After the meeting ended. Sherman opened his brief statement by acknowledging his partnership with the Cleveland Indians as a 30% owner.
“I’d like to thank my partner in Cleveland, (majority owner) Paul Dolan, who’s been a great partner in the four seasons over there,” he said. “I look forward to being his partner for years to come in Major League Baseball.”
Sherman also saluted David Glass, who had owned the Royals since 2000. Glass exited the meetings quietly, shortly before Sherman approached the podium at baseball commissioner Rob Manfred’s post-meetings news conference.
“He’s (Glass) done a lot for Kansas City, not only being the owner for the last 20 years, but really helping Ewing Kauffman navigate that transition back in the ‘90s, which was really important in Kansas City,” said Sherman, who grew up in Kansas City.
To wrap up, Sherman said, “I’m deeply appreciative of the commissioner’s office and my fellow owners for their confidence and trust in the vote today. It’s a responsibility that I’ll take very seriously.”
Sherman did not take questions after his statement.
Sherman will field more questions at Kauffman Stadium next Tuesday at a formal introduction to Royals fans.
Manfred also recognized the David Glass ownership era in Kansas City.
“I think for a lot of us, me included, David has been the center of our industry in a lot of ways,” said Manfred.
As Glass, 84, left the hotel where the meetings were held, he said he preferred the focus moving forward to be on Sherman. But when asked to reflect on his 20-year ownership, he told KCUR, “I wouldn’t trade our experience for anything. Doing it (selling the team) is one of the most difficult decisions I ever made, but there comes a time for everything.”
Greg Echlin is a freelance sports reporter for KCUR 89.3.
