Jim Crane is a former professional baseball player who played as an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros. He was born on January 13, 1954, in Dellwood, Missouri, and attended the University of Central Missouri, where he played college baseball.
Crane was drafted by the Braves in the 18th round of the 1974 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut with the Braves in 1978 and played for them until 1980. He then played for the Yankees in 1981 and 1982 before being traded to the Astros in 1983.
Crane played for the Astros for two seasons before retiring from baseball in 1985. During his career, he played in 238 games, had 167 hits, 57 RBIs, and a batting average of .201.
After retiring from baseball, Crane went on to become a successful businessman. He founded the logistics company Eagle Global Logistics in 1984, which he later sold to a private equity firm in 2007. He then founded Crane Capital Group, a private equity firm that invests in various industries, including energy, real estate, and aviation.
In 2011, Crane made headlines when he purchased the Houston Astros for $680 million, becoming the team's owner. Under his ownership, the Astros won the American League pennant in 2017 and 2019 and won the World Series in 2017.
However, Crane's tenure as owner of the Astros was not without controversy. In 2019, the team was accused of using electronic sign-stealing during the 2017 season, which led to the firing of the team's manager and general manager. Crane was also criticized for his handling of the situation and for not taking enough responsibility for the team's actions.
Despite the controversy, Crane remains a prominent figure in the world of baseball and business. He has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, including his support of the Houston Food Bank and the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. He also serves on the board of directors for the Greater Houston Partnership and the University of Central Missouri Foundation.
In conclusion, Jim Crane had a successful career as a professional baseball player, playing for the Braves, Yankees, and Astros. He went on to become a successful businessman and purchased the Astros in 2011, leading the team to win the World Series in 2017. While his tenure as owner was not without controversy, Crane remains a prominent figure in the world of baseball and business.
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