O'Conner re-elected as MiLB president

DALLAS -- Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner was unanimously re-elected today at the Baseball Winter Meetings™ to serve a second four-year term, beginning Jan. 1. O'Conner oversees 20 member leagues and 247 Minor League Baseball™ clubs located in The United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela.

"I would like to thank our membership for showing their confidence in me by re-electing me to a second term," O'Conner said. "I look forward to serving our leagues and clubs over the next four years as we continue to strive to improve our product and provide the best form of family entertainment to our millions of fans." Some highlights of O'Conner's first term in office include the extension of the Professional Baseball Agreement with Major League Baseball through the 2020 season; a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU) through 2016; realignment of two Class A leagues; the organization-wide bundling of internet rights; a first-ever Diversity Initiative; an industry-wide health care program; and a "Green Team" initiative to make Minor League Baseball teams and stadiums more eco-friendly and cost-effective.

O'Conner has spent 29 years in professional baseball, including the last 18 in the Minor League Baseball office. He joined the Minor League staff in May 1993 as Chief Operating Officer and added the title of Vice President, Administration in December 1995. He was elected the 11th President of Minor League Baseball at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., in December 2007.

Here are O'Conner's remarks to the MiLB Board of Trustees, Council of League Presidents and others in attendance after being re-elected:

"I would like to thank all of you for your confidence in my ability to continue the advancement of this organization. And thank you for your cooperation and assistance in achieving the progress of the past few years.

"Working together we have met the challenges of the past. And our continued unity of effort will be needed to meet those which lie ahead. Together we must provide the vision, commitment, and courage to overcome all obstacles placed in our path.

"Individual differences and opinions have and will exist. But, in the end, we have a responsibility to come together as one to maintain the path of progress.

"I look forward to working with you the next four years in meeting our goals and humbly accept the responsibility you have placed in my hands. Thank you."