Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Names New Team President
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: July 9, 2012
Moosic, Lackawanna County - With demolition still underway on PNC Field in Moosic, officials with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are looking towards the future.
The team unveiled its new leadership team Monday.
Rob Crain has been named President/General Manager of the team.
Crain comes from the Ohama Storm Chasers, the AAA-affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He served as assistant general manager for four years.
"As a kid growing up 20 minutes away from Fenway Park, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd thank the New York Yankees for anything," Crain joked.
Crain says he's ready to get down to tbusiness.
He says bringing back the fans is a top priority.
"The fans, when they walk in the door, are going to be inundated with the sites, the sounds, the smells, the entire fan experience," Crain said. "It's going to be very, very minor league and when I say that, it's going to be all about the fan and all about what they want."
As the announcement was made Monday, fans and even the CEO of Mandalay Baseball were excited about Crain's energy and enthusiasm.
"He understands what community engagement is all about and I thought he'd be a great fit with our team here," Mandalay Baseball CEO Art Matin said.
"He seems very in tune with what the people in this area want," Joe D'Amato of Clarks Summit said. "I think it seems to be a very, very positive choice."
Joining Crain on the new leadership team will be Jeremy Ruby as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.
Ruby is a former general manager who had the itch to get back with the team.
"Once you have it in you, you can't get away from it," Ruby said. "It's a good feeling to have and it's good to be a part of this."
This year, the Yankees are playing all of their home games on the road while PNC Field undergoes its makeover.
So far, 500 truckloads of debris and 3,000 tons of steel have already left the site as construction gets ready to begin for opening day 2013.
"I went through this in Omaha, Nebraska with Werner Park," Crain said. "We built a brand new ballpark last year and it opened up last year and to see this, it's kinda bringing back memories and brings back some of those experiences."
