Stan Kasten resigned Monday as President of the Braves. Click to enlarge photo.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Stan Kasten, one of the most influential sports figures in Atlanta history, resigned from his positions as president of the Braves, Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena on Monday afternoon.
Kasten, who was the first man to ever serve as the president of three different major professional sports teams at the same time, had been the Braves' president since 1986.
Kasten's association with the team dates back to 1976, when Ted Turner hired a young Kasten, fresh out of law school, to serve as the Braves' and Hawks' legal counsel. In 1979, a 27-year-old Kasten was named the Hawks' general manager, making him the youngest person to ever hold that title in the NBA.
Since the time it was announced that the Hawks and Thrashers had been sold, there had been speculation that Kasten may lose some of his responsibilities. But there was no indication that he was going to leave his post with the Braves.
Kasten's presidency of the Braves began the same year Bobby Cox became the general manager. It was also Kasten's diligence that helped lure John Schuerholz from Kansas City to Atlanta after the 1990 season.
Kasten, Schuerholz and Cox have the unique distinction of being the only men in professional sports history to have experienced 12 consecutive division titles while serving the same position for a team.
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Adapted from article on the MLB.com website.
Stan Kasten leaves after 17 years with the Atlanta Braves. Click to enlarge photo.
photo by Tim Evearitt