Same office, parking spot, box for Beeston, new title
By Andrew Hendriks
Canadian Baseball Network
Paul Beeston has occupied the same office at Rogers Centre as the one he had the day the Blue Jays moved into the SkyDome when they left Exhibition Staum in June of 1989.
He still has his same underground parking spot although he stepped down from president at the end of last season.
And he still have his private box where he watches most games this season with long time pal and vice-president Howard Starkman. Just like Conn Smyth and Harold Ballard.
The only thing that changed on Monday was that Beeston has a new title.
Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro named his 71-year old executive predecessor as President Emeritus.
“Paul’s achievements and dedication to both the Blue Jays and MLB is incomparable,” said Shapiro in a team-issued release Monday afternoon. “This is simply a small token of recognition for the nearly four decades he’s given the game.”
Per Websters word book -- not the awards -- Emeritus: one retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of the last office held.
Beeston was the first individual hired by the Blue Jays ownership consortium of Labatts Breweries, Imperial Trust (R. Howard Webster) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) in 1976. The R. Howard Webster award weekend which annually honors MVP from each Jays affiliate team has been cancelled for the final homestand.
A product of the University of Western Ontario, the dignified bean counter was appointed Vice President of business operations for the Blue Jays in 1977, President and Chief Operating officer in 1989 and Chief executive operator in 1991.
In 1997, he left Toronto in order to pursue a career within the league offices and served as President and CEO of Major League Baseball until s2002.
Despite leaving the team, Beeston still maintained an office at One Blue Jays Way and visited the dome often throughout his time with the league and after it.
Following the 2008 campaign, the former Canadian Baseball Man of the Year (1994) rejoined the club as Interim President and CEO of the Blue Jays and was tasked with finding a qualified successor. He attempted to hire Keli McGregor from the Colorado Rockies but McGregor stayed put and gained a promotion. Ditto with another attempted hire.
Beeston then opted to hold the position until announcing his retirement in early 2015.
Amidst Toronto’s strongest season since winning it all in 1993, Rogers Communications hired Shapiro to Beeston’s perch inside the Blue Jays front offices.
Mere months removed from his official retirement from the grand old game, it was Shapiro who welcomed The Beest on Monday.
“We felt it was right to honour the legacy he has built and ensure he’s a part of the future successes of this team.” added Shapiro in Monday’s release.
As for Beeston himself, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee (2006) is thrilled to be back with the team he holds so dear to his heart.
“I am truly fortunate to once again be welcomed back into this great organization,” said Beeston on Monday. “Over the past year, I have had a front row seat to observe Mark Shapiro’s innovative thinking, his professionalism and his commitment to winning and bringing a championship to Toronto. I am confident we will achieve that goal and get back to where we have not been for over 23 years.”
In a business where you are often hired to be fired, Beeston has carved out a lasting and diverse career in this game. His work ethic, values and unwavering passion towards the American Pastime is appreciated and notably recognized by both fans and those within industry nationwide.
Although he never really left -- Beeston still has the same office, parking space and private box -- Toronto is fortunate to this integral part of its baseball history formally back where he belongs.
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