Chris Browne Promoted to T-Bones General Manager10/18/2008 2:30 PM - Chris Browne has been promoted to General Manager of the Kansas City T-Bones Baseball Club.
Browne is the longest-tenured T-Bone, having started with the team in the fall of 2002, before a shovel of dirt had been turned to build CommunityAmerica Ballpark. As the team’s first Director of Stadium Operations, he was instrumental in building the T-Bones’ affordable brand of family “Fun Well Done.”
Serving as assistant general manager for the past five seasons, Browne’s attention to customer service and expertise in running a first-rate facility have thrust the T-Bones into a forefront entertainment and sports entity in the Kansas City community. Nearly 300,000 fans annually enjoy the Northern League baseball experience. In addition to his baseball leadership, Browne has been instrumental in welcoming fans of the Kansas City Wizards MLS team at CommunityAmerica Ballpark this season.
Browne’s promotion was announced by team owner John Ehlert and co-owner Adam Ehlert, who said: “We are very excited to have Chris leading our staff into the future, he is tremendously well respected around the Kansas City business and sports community. His unique combination of baseball knowledge, a strong background in stadium operation, his strong Kansas City community ties and cohesive team-building abilities will place the organization in a great place to continue its Championship ways. Most importantly, our fans will enjoy the same great product they’ve come to know as T-Bones baseball.”
Browne’s baseball career began as a bat boy during the Royals heyday, while he was a student at Rockhurst High School, in Kansas City, MO. Following his graduation from the University of Missouri, he spent seven years in affiliated baseball with the Jacksonville Suns, before returning to Kansas City to work with both the MISL’s Attack, and the Comets.
Browne replaces five year veteran Rick Muntean as general manager. Muntean recently took an ownership position in a college wood-bat development team in St. Joseph, MO.
“I want to thank the Ehlert’s ownership for their faith and confidence they have shown in me over the years. I am excited for the opportunity to take this next step in my career and lead our team and staff. Growing up in the Royals clubhouse in high school and college, I told myself that someday I would be a General Manger. That day has come. I look forward to continued success on and off the field and hopefully many more Championships for the T-Bones, our fans and the city of Kansas City.
I want to thank Rick Muntean (outgoing GM). As Muntean’s right hand man over the last five years, I want to assure our fans and sponsors that the ‘Fun Well Done’ theme that we have established will remain our focus.
Browne lives in Lenexa, KS with his wife Becky and their son Brett, who his father describes as a “strong lefty.”
The T-Bones are 2008 Northern League Champions, having swept league-leading Fargo-Moorhead in the first round of the playoffs and then proceeding to defeat defending champion Gary SouthShore RailCats three games to one in the Championship Series this past September. Season tickets for 2009 are available by calling 913/328-5618, and championship merchandise is available at the Team Store in the Legends mall, adjacent to CommunityAmerica Ballpark. |