New Ownership

Mo-Roca Boys

After nearly a year of negotiations with several different groups, including ExxonMobil and Heineken, the Brooklyn Moabs have been bought by Shawn Carter. Carter, a local Brooklynite, has been seeking to purchase a Barb team for some time. As the last offer, Carter coupled nearly $500 million dollars to purchase the organization and Mother Of All Ballparks. Heineken's offer would not have included the purchase of MOAB due to its desire to move the team across the pond. Exxon's offer was tremendous, but felt that the team was not located in a financially secure area of New York, or the US, so a move was probably.

Carter, on the other hand, stepped in late and defended his city: "How could this franchise leave Brooklyn? It's our boys." The group, known as Roc-A-Fellas Records Inc., is headed by the rapper. Jay-Z sees the Moabs as a team that can compete with any team. Noting the allstars around the lineup, and their record number of runs, the Moabs focus will be the pitching staff. Having said that, the Moabs could potentially have four or five aces: "Any of them could win the CY." Carter's outlook is one of realistic optimism.

As for changes in the front office, Carter backs Eric J. Caskey as the team's General Manager: "I cannot see the organization without it headed by the wiz kid. I, unfortunately, do not know enough about the people within the organization, I will be meeting with Caskey to discuss changes in philosophy and personnel. I will re-organize the marketing department. It's likely that Hype Williams and I will take over the organization's propoganda." Regardless of the changes on the horizon, the Moabs look to be moving in a more youthful direction with a young GM and the league's youngest owner.

Bob Uecker
The Aftermath