Birdland flocked to Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday for a sold-out showdown between the Yankees and the Orioles. Among those eager to see the AL East champs take on their divisional rival was the soon-to-be new owner of the Baltimore Orioles, David Rubenstein.
Orioles New Owner Rubenstein Attends Spring Training
In January, news broke that the Angelos family had agreed to sell a majority stake in the franchise. The deal valued the Orioles franchise at $1.725 billion. Baltimore native David Rubenstein will become the Orioles’ new control person and decision-maker once MLB approves the sale. The sale of the Orioles to Rubenstein is likely to become official in April but could be completed by Opening Day.
David Rubenstein, at today’s Orioles game at Ed Smith Stadium https://t.co/S6NcJjECXz pic.twitter.com/exT8j3rNpR
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) March 2, 2024
Rubenstein’s group will start with a 40 percent ownership stake in the franchise with a plan to purchase the remaining shares after the passing of Peter Angelos. The group would also take over the Angelos’ stake in Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN). The sale must be approved by 75 percent of the Major League Baseball owners to become official.
Rubenstein was in attendance with Orioles chief executive John Angelos. He was seen having breakfast at a Sarasota hotel with Angelos, manager Brandon Hyde, and general manager Mike Elias. Rubenstein walked to the concourse and greeted fans late in Saturday’s win over the Yankees.
The Orioles were quiet in the early innings with Marcus Stroman pitching but broke out against the Yankees’ relievers. Austin Hays and Kyle Stowers both homered, taking yet another lefty deep. Ryan Mountcastle drove in two more runs with a two-run double in the sixth. The Orioles held the Yankees scoreless before giving up three runs in the ninth in their 7-3 victory. The Orioles improved to 8-1 in their spring games with yesterday’s win.
While Spring Training games don’t mean much once the regular season begins, the Orioles have been on a roll. This season may be the best if these first nine games indicate what is to come.
Main Photo Credits: Jamie L. LaReau/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK
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