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August 26, 2008
No. 44 Vol. 86
Today’s Speaker:
Andrew Friedman
Program: Tampa Bay Rays
As executive vice president
of baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Rays, Andrew Friedman is
responsible for overseeing and directing the organization’s baseball
operations.
In 2007 Friedman secured
three of the best free agent acquisitions in the major leagues. First
baseman Carlos Pena, signed to a minor league contract in January, was
named 2007 American Comeback Player of the Year with 46 home runs and
121 RBI. Akinori Iwamura, whose rights the Rays secured from the Yakuit
Swallows in 2006 achieved a .359 on-base pct. in 2007, the third best
among all rookies while playing a stellar third base. Al Reyes
resurrected his career with his 20-save season after signing a minor
league contract with Rays in 2006.
A greater emphasis on player
development and an aggressive approach to international scouting are two
of the hallmarks of Friedman’s first two years as the Rays top baseball
official. Friedman has aggressively sought to improve the roster,
engineering nearly 20 trades in the past two years. Those trades have
helped turn over the Rays roster and fill it and the club’s minor league
system with talented, young players. The Rays farm system has also been
bolstered by the addition of the first round picks Evan Longoria (2006)
and David Price (2007) and the development of key prospects like Reid
Brignac (2004), Jacob McGee (2004) and Desmond Jennings (2006). The farm
system, considered one of the deepest and most talented in baseball, was
named Topps Organization of the Year for 2007.
On the international front,
the Rays have significantly increased their presence in Latin America
with an expanded international scouting staff and training facilities in
the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Colombia.
Prior to assuming his
current role in November 2005, Friedman spent two years with the Rays
serving as director of baseball development. Friedman’s previous
experience includes two years as an analyst with New York City
City-based investment firm Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., and three years as
an associate for the private equity firm MidMark Capital.
A native of Houston, Texas,
Friedman received a baseball scholarship to Tulane University where he
graduated with a bachelor of science in management and a concentration
in finance. He played outfield for the Green Wave before injuring his
shoulder.
LAST WEEK
AT KIWANIS (8/19)
Last week’s meeting was cancelled because of the threat of Tropical
Storm/Hurricane Fay’s arrival.
TWO WEEKS
AGO AT KIWANIS (8/12)
The
Kiwanian of the Day, Mitch Cochran, introduced J. P. Peterson, local
sportscaster and anchor for the 3-6 p.m. time slot for 1010 Radio.
Formerly of News Channel 8, his knowledge of the local sports made for
an interesting, lively dialogue with the members. Keynote
observations included the following:
1)
RAYS
with a "phenomenal business plan", the new ownership have not wavered
from their model since Day One. Attendance is improving and as a direct
result, the payroll has doubled this year. He expects the Rays to step
up and adjust for the key injured players, Evan Longoria and Carl
Crawford. Despite Longoria's injury, J. P. expects him to win Rookie of
the Year.
2)
BUCS
- Now that "Favreapolooza" is over, J. P.'s concern is that this has a
been distraction to team chemistry and is worried about how the possible
fallout, and how it will effect the BUCS on game day.
3) GATORS
- Tim Tebow is the best college player J. P. has observed. With Tebow in
charge, his bet is for the Gators to win the SEC. When asked about
Georgia's chances, he thought that Russia's superior air force would
doom the Dawgs. Sorry, Markus & Click.
4)
SEMINOLES
- Expects Jimbo Fisher to take over for Bobby Bowden as soon as next
year as most of the important discussions are made by Fisher anyway.
5)
BULLS
- J.P. compared Coach Leavitt to the mad scientist who wants to surprise
people with the Bulls' achievements. He likes Leavitt's emphasis on
recruiting homegrown players as J.P. feels the Florida high school
players are the best in the nation.
6)
LIGHTNING
- The new ownership shows J. P. much energy and enthusiasm. Along with a
new coach the Lightning should improve. J.P.'s feelings for the former
coach, John Tortorella were of admiration and felt that with a limited
payroll, the year "Torts" led the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup were
glorious times.
GUESTS
AND VISITORS
(August 12th)
Name
Kiwanis Member
Eric
LaVenture Lorin Bridge
Jeremy
Koch Dick Koch
Rachael
Russell J. C. Russell
Bruce
Howie James Beach
David
Lindow, DDS Ron O'Neal
Ben
Sullers Bret Jahn
Mark
Postier Bret Jahn
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
Happy
Workers' Children's Center
Jane
Baldwin of the Boys and Girls Committee presented a check for $1,000 to
the Happy Workers' Children's Center. The Center, a non-profit
organization, provides day care for low income families in St.
Petersburg. Our Kiwanis Club gathers books for the Center's annual
Literacy Fair and at the fair many Kiwanians volunteer their time. Last
year over 350 people attended the fair and over 200 children received
new books. So, let's have another strong turnout on September 27 and
help Jane and the Boys and Girls committee. And bring in books for the
kids! Congratulations to everyone who makes this event a huge success.
Interclub
Meetings
Do not
forget that there is only one month remaining to fulfill your Interclub
commitment to attend at least one meeting in a year. Failure to do so
will result in being subjected an endless loop of Carnac the
Magnificent.
KUDOS TO
PAUL RENKER
As a
tribute to Paul's daughter, Dr. Sara Leslie, Paul has donated $1,000 to
the Heart Stem Research Foundation headed by Dr. Ann Steele of All
Children's Hospital. The club has also donated nearly $400 to this
worthwhile cause as well. Sara officially became a doctor on July 30 and
will have her internship at USF-St. Petersburg. As you may recall Dr.
Steele presented a heartfelt program last month to our club. Thanks,
Paul for your donation and best of luck to Sara and her future career.
TODAY'S
QUIZ
1) What
is the capital city of Chile?
2) What
is the only food that does not spoil?
3) Name
the country that produces the most bananas?
4) What
college in Florida the Legendary Jim Morrison, The Doors?
LAST
WEEKS' QUIZ
1) Name
the 13 original colonies? Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina,
Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
2) What
is the nickname of Long Beach State University? Dirt Bags
3) In
1999 what movie won 5 Oscars? American Beauty
4) What
is the legal size to keep a redfish in Florida? No less than 18 and no
more than 27 inches. (Or consult with Mitch Cochran regarding fillet
and release regulations.)
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