Cleveland Guardians Owner Lawrence Dolan Passes Away at 94
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The Cleveland Guardians are mourning the loss of their owner, Lawrence J. Dolan, who passed away on Sunday night at the age of 94. Dolan, a Cleveland native, purchased the team in 2000 for $320 million and has been a driving force behind the team's success over the past two decades. The Dolan family has a 75% stake in the club and is the longest-tenured owner in Cleveland franchise history. Under their ownership, the team has won seven American League Central Division titles, made nine postseason appearances, and advanced to the 2016 World Series.
Dolan's legacy extends beyond his ownership of the Guardians, as he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was passionate about his family, work, and community. He served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marines and had a successful career in law, business, and education. The Guardians' senior vice president of public affairs, Bob DiBiasio, praised Dolan's commitment to the community, saying that he "invested his entire life in Greater Cleveland and impacted our community on so many levels." Dolan's nephew, James Dolan, owns the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and Madison Square Garden.
The Guardians have released a tribute video honoring Dolan's life and contributions to the community. The team's chairman and CEO, Paul Dolan, said in a statement that his father was a "loving husband, father, and grandfather who was passionate about his family, work, our community, and his love of our local sports teams, including owning the Cleveland Guardians." The Dolan family's ownership of the team has been marked by success on the field, with the team winning 2046 games since 2000. The team's player development staff has become one of the most well-respected groups in the sport, particularly when it comes to developing young pitching talent.
The Guardians' future is uncertain, with David Blitzer, who co-owns the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils, purchasing a 25-30% stake in the team in 2022. Blitzer is expected to become the majority owner of the team over the next few years. Despite the uncertainty, the Dolan family's legacy will continue to be felt in the Cleveland community. The team's commitment to community outreach and development has made a lasting impact on the city, and their ownership has been marked by a dedication to putting a competitive team on the field. The Guardians' schedule for the upcoming season is expected to be released soon, with the team looking to build on their recent success.
Here are some key statistics and milestones from the Dolan family's ownership of the Guardians:
- Seven American League Central Division titles
- Nine postseason appearances
- Advanced to the 2016 World Series
- 2046 wins since 2000
- 1902 losses since 2000
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