Houston Astros name Reid Ryan President of Business Operations

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have named Reid Ryan as President of Business Operations. Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane made the announcement today at a press conference at Minute Maid Park. 

Ryan, 41, will be responsible for all of the Astros business operations and will report directly to Crane.

"Being named president of business operations is both a homecoming and the pinnacle of my career in baseball," Ryan said. "The Houston Astros have been a part of my life since 1980 when my dad, Nolan Ryan, signed with the club. I have an understanding of the history and tradition of the Houston Astros. Over the last several years, I have been fortunate to build some close relationships with many people within the Astros organization. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jim Crane and I share his vision to rebuild the franchise."

During the 1980s, Ryan was a bat boy for the Astros while his father, and Hall of Famer Nolan, was an All-Star pitcher. He later pitched in the minor leagues for two seasons (1994-95) in the Rangers system after being selected in the 17th round of the 1994 June Draft.

Ryan was previously President and CEO of Ryan-Sanders Baseball, which owns and operates the Double A Corpus Christi Hooks and the Triple A Round Rock Express baseball clubs. Corpus Christi is an affiliate of the Houston Astros and Round Rock is an affiliate of the Texas Rangers. "Since 1998, I have been fortunate enough to be an owner and president of the Astros Double-A affiliate," Ryan said. "During this time, I've had the chance to meet and get to know many of the players that have come up through the system." 

Ryan is credited with creating the Corpus Christi and Round Rock franchises, which are traditionally ranked at the top in minor league attendance, stadium satisfaction and franchise value. In 2013, Ryan initiated the first Major League Baseball games in San Antonio at the Alamodome, which took place in March. The two-game exhibition series drew over 75,000 fans. Ryan has also been active in the leadership of Minor League Baseball, serving as a trustee of the Texas League, as a Pacific Coast League executive committee member and as Finance Chairman for MiLB.

"We are thrilled to have Reid as President of the Houston Astros," Crane said. "From the beginning, Reid has been the leading force behind Ryan-Sanders Baseball and their minor league franchise operations in both Round Rock and Corpus Christi. He has built those franchises into two of the best in the country. 

"He has also been a leader in MiLB on a national level and a wonderful community leader in both Round Rock and Corpus Christi. Reid has great knowledge of the business of baseball and will be a tremendous asset to the Houston Astros and the city of Houston."

Ryan will continue to hold an equity position in Ryan-Sanders Baseball and will maintain his board seat, but will relinquish his position as "ultimate authority" for the clubs.

Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow will continue to oversee all baseball operations and will also report Crane.

ASTROS IN LINE TO PURCHASE HOOKS

The Astros also announced today that they have agreed to a Letter of Intent with Ryan-Sanders Baseball to purchase the Corpus Christi Hooks baseball club. The transaction is pending all baseball approvals and Ryan Sanders shareholder approval. The Astros anticipate assuming control of operations at the end of the 2013 season.