E. Miles Prentice III, the head of a group of investors who are close to buying the Oneonta Tigers, said he has no plans to move the short-season Single-A franchise.
As Monday night gave way Tuesday morning, Prentice called The Daily Star for his first extended talk with the newspaper since Sam Nader and Sid Levine announced the pending sale of their O-Tigers on July 1.
"If you buy a house, you live in it for awhile," said Prentice, a New York City lawyer who placed a bid to buy the Tigers along with associates Steve Long, John Gleason, Ed Mattes, Laura Mattes-Cox and Jim Weber. Although specific contract terms have not been made public, the O-Tigers likely carried a price tag in the millions. According to Minor League Baseball, a Single-A short-season franchise is worth at least $1.8 million.
"They've had good people there for a long time," Prentice continued. "We're thankful we have this year to break ourselves in and find out what works and what doesn't work. We have to promote it. Because of where you are, there are communities within driving distance. We have to let people know we're there and come out to a ballgame. Oh, and by the way, some of the guys you'll see are going to get to the big leagues."
The deal, pending approval of Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and the New York-Penn League, should be completed some time in August. The Detroit Tigers, Oneonta's parent club, are committed to staying in Oneonta through at least the 2010 season, when its current Player Development Contract runs out.
Prentice said he hasn't been in contact with anyone from Detroit's front office since negotiations began with Nader and Levine in mid-December.
"Sam told me (the Detroit Tigers) were happy," Prentice, a graduate of the University of Michigan's law school, said about the pending transaction. "I hope to get a chance to meet them."
Based on Prentice's ownership of his Double-A minor league teams, it appears he's set on keeping the franchise in Oneonta.
"None of my ventures have been short-term," said Prentice, the owner of the Double-A Huntsville Stars and Midland RockHounds. "I bought Midland in 1990 and my GM (Monty Hoppel) is still with me. I bought Huntsville in 2002 and it's still there. My banker told me I wasn't a trader; he said, you're a hoarder."
Assuming the sale goes through, Jim Weber's son, Andy, will serve as the general manager. Introduced to The Daily Star as the Oneonta Tigers' intern at the beginning of this season, Andy Weber has been present at all of the O-Tigers' home games this year.
Prentice said Andy Weber, 28, will become the face of the franchise.
"It's a great opportunity for a guy his age," said Prentice, 65. "At this particular time in his life, he's single and has the time to do it. These guys put in long hours and there's a fair bit to do. He's working with Sam and (Director of Operations) Bob (Zeh) and getting the lay of the land. He's really enjoying it."
As for Prentice's presence at Damaschke Field, he said he is unsure about how often he'll attend games. Prentice added that he tries to get to games in Huntsville and Midland about once a month.
"Oneonta's a little easier to get to," said Prentice, who lives in Manhattan. "Literally, I can get up in a day and drive back, so it's a little easier for me."
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Rob Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.
