The Houston Astros hire a Ryan as their new president — just not Nolan

When Houston Astros president/CEO George Postolos resigned on Monday, there was some speculation that the team might try to woo Nolan Ryan, who played eight seasons in Houston. Nolan is the CEO and co-owner of the Texas Rangers, though his recent tenure has been a bit rocky. Could it happen? Some Astros fans were hopeful.

Turns out the Astros got a Ryan to be their new president, but it's not Nolan. It's his son, Reid Ryan.

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart is reporting that Reid Ryan will be introduced by the Astros at a Friday press conference. So the intrastate Astros-Rangers rivalry has another new wrinkle (besides both teams now being in the AL West): It's Ryan vs. Ryan, father vs. son.

Reid Ryan, 41, has a baseball-heavy resume: He was president/CEO of Ryan-Sanders Baseball, which owns the Triple-A Round Rock Express (Rangers affiliate) and Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros). He also served on the board of trustees for Minor League Baseball.

On the Houston Chronicle's Ultimate Astros blog, Jose de Jesus Ortiz writes that Reid Ryan is a "perfect fit":

Reid Ryan understands the Astros’ organization, the Astros’ fan base and the city of Houston. Although his father ultimately went into the Hall of Fame as a Ranger despite playing nine seasons with the Astros, Reid Ryan has always viewed the Astros as his hometown team.

Reid Ryan, who couldn’t be reached at his cell phone, would bring instant credibility to the Astros’ business operations throughout Houston and throughout the baseball industry. He understands the complexities of selling a long baseball season to fans, sponsors and rights holders.

Now Reid has a couple months to get adjusted to the new gig before the Astros play his dad and the Rangers again in July.

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