Nationals team president Stan Kasten resigned that position on Thursday, ending a four-and-a-half season tenure with the organization. One of the most accomplished professional sports executives of his generation, Kasten guided the Lerner Family as they transitioned into principle ownership of the ballclub and was instrumental in the construction of Nationals Park.
“I know the stories and speculation. Let me assure you, this is just about me,” Kasten said during an afternoon press conference before his team’s game against the Houston Astros. “This has nothing to do with anybody else or anything else. This is just about me, what’s good for me, for my family and my own personal expectations, goals, aspirations. Purely that and nothing else.”
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Kasten said he is not ready to retire, but there are no pro sports job in his immediate future. He also denied that he was ready to sell his ownership stake in the Nationals. But that would be an issue if Kasten wanted to take a position in Major League Baseball’s hierarchy – he’s often mentioned as a candidate for MLB commissioner when Bud Selig finally steps down – or even if he just wanted to work with another organization in the sport.
During Kasten’s career he has served as general manager of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and then team president of both the Hawks and MLB’s Atlanta Braves. Kasten cut his teeth under media mogul Ted Turner, who owned both franchises. In 1999 he also became team president of the Atlanta Thrashers, an NHL expansion team, and oversaw the construction of Atlanta’s Philips Arena. He left all three positions in 2003, returning to pro sports only when he was added to the Lerner’s group of investors – a deal brokered by Selig just weeks before MLB awarded the team on May 3, 2006.
Kasten informed the Lerners of his decision “about a year ago” so the decision came as no surprise to high-ranking team officials. Nats general manager Mike Rizzo knew Kasten was leaving at the end of the 2010 season, which concludes Oct. 3. He said there was no consensus about when to make the move public. Kasten thought about announcing it during the All-Star break or even after the signing of No. 1 draft pick Bryce Harper in August. The time never seemed particularly right. But Kasten also didn’t want to just leave after the season without the chance to explain his reasons. He insists he’s is leaving Washington on good terms with ownership.
“I’ve had a great relationship with the Lerners. We had really good talks,” Kasten said. “But at the end it was clear this was what I wanted to do. They have been great. Yes, they would have been really happy for me to stay. But this is the right thing. This is just about me. It’s not about anything else or anybody else. I really hope, if nothing else, you take that message.”
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