Changes coming for the Red Hawks

Originally Published: Jun 29, 2010 8:21 PM CDT

The sale of the Red Hawks to Mandalay Baseball Properties is inevitable. The OKC Council gave it thumbs up today, so the rest is simply a formality with the city and the Pacific Coast League.  Four questions:

Why did the Funks sell?
I spoke with Bob Funk Sr. and his son Bobby today. The son told me they’d looked into some opportunities a year ago but when the Mandalay offer came in, “it was strictly a business decision and it was too good to pass up.”  It is worth noting that Funk Sr. is involved in professional and personal litigation.  Bob, who has been a major player in putting money where his mouth is when it comes to supporting sports in OKC, told me his Express Personnel is doing “very, very well in a bad economy.”

Will the Red Hawks remain in OKC?
Funk Jr. says yes.  However, it’s no lock that a team will remain here in the long run.  Having outstanding facilities would seem to make it obvious that a Triple-A team should be here.  PDCs (Player Development Contracts) are for either two or four year deals and contracts expire at the end of even-numbered years.

Would the Red Hawks remain the Triple A affiliate of the Texas Rangers?
Not if Nolan Ryan has his way. The Hall of Fame pitcher and current President and part-owner naturally wants to hook up with Round Rock which is near Arlington. Two of Ryan’s sons are executives with Round Rock. Speculation has the Red Hawks becoming the Triple A affiliate with the Houston Astros.

Anything else?
Thanks for asking. A source told me to look for the new group to use the Brick “more of a multi-use facility and host more concerts, maybe high school football games and other things it could attract outside of baseball.”

Anything else?
Nope. These changes won’t affect fans. You can still go to a nice, clean park; order peanuts and a brew; and enjoy a night of baseball. Or exchange a Pepsi for the brew, and enjoy a night of bonding with the kids.