Time flies for Vancouver Canadians owner Jake Kerr
Perhaps for Kerr, the first few months of his ownership was similar to biting into a perfectly shaped apple, only to find the beginnings of a rotting core.
But Kerr, along with longtime friend Jeff Mooney took on the task of breaking down the Vancouver Canadians to the core before building it back into one of Canada's most respected sports brands.
"It was a bit of a shock when we finally got inside and saw how poor the stadium's bones were," admits Kerr, who had also gone through the books with a fine tooth comb to weed out a few inflated numbers.
"We've put a fair amount of money into this stadium and we've got some more work to do with it, but I am satisfied with where we are at knowing what lies ahead".
It is almost assumed that when you take over a business of any nature, there will be the occasional pitfall or unexpected 'head scratcher'. However, the result heading into his fifth year at the helm seems right on track.
"This past season was a great success for us out at Scotiabank Field. We had a team in the playoffs, the fans helped us set our second straight attendance record and we are finally starting to see this franchise balance out financially".
"I never thought of this franchise as a money maker, but wanted to ensure that financially we were responsible and that is something I think we are achieving," adds Kerr.
Heading into the 2008 season, Jake Kerr dipped into his bag of tricks and pulled out Andy Dunn, and life has never been the same.
Dunn joined the Canadians as team president as well as minority partner and has led a group of young, hungry staff members towards success in the Minor Leagues.
When asked how life as an owner might have been had his paths never crossed with Andy Dunn, Kerr tries to hold back his smile.
"Luckily I don't have to think about that. Andy has been everything we had hoped for in a young, vibrant leader. He has great knowledge of the game and a lot of enthusiasm and has built a young front office core that has very high standards. Andy Dunn has been a huge part of our success so far".
Kerr has been in the lumber business for the better part of his life but has ensured that his commitment to philanthropic interests including the Vancouver Foundation and Emily Carr University haven't fallen by the wayside.
In January, Kerr helped launch the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, which targets children between the ages of five and ten, helping them find their way onto local baseball diamonds despite economic challenges within their families.
It is the hope of Kerr that perhaps one day a child who benefits from the Foundation will find his or her way onto a professional baseball field, whether it is as a player or as a member of his front office.
As the Canadians prepare for another season in the sunshine, make no mistake, Kerr expects results. Not just with the numbers on a budget spreadsheet, but on the field as well.
"I am very competitive. Don't get me wrong, I understand that Minor League Baseball has a lot to do with the entertainment value between innings and the overall ballpark experience. I want a part of that enjoyment to include cheering on a winning ball club.
Being in the playoffs this past season and in a pennant race was a lot of fun for me and everyone around the ballpark. I don't get upset about the wins and losses, but I am competitive enough to want a ring or two".
To look around Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and compare its current state to that of 2007, when Kerr and his staff took over, is almost unfair. The upgrades are everywhere and according to the owner, more are on the way.
"We still have a plan. There is money that we have budgeted along with money allocated from the city that will allow us to continue making this stadium stand out. Last summer we added a new video board that really changed the way a fan enjoyed a ballgame, and we have a few more things left to accomplish in the coming months and years".
As for the relationship with the Toronto Blue Jays?
"We will have a better on-field product. The Blue Jays have committed to their scouting and player development and you can see that they believe in what we are doing out West. I don't think you can ever promise a winner at the Minor League level, but I believe in what the Toronto Blue Jays are doing and the direction they are headed and I think Alex Anthopoulos and his staff including new Manager John Farrell are doing great things for baseball as a whole in this country".
Asked if he can feel the building excitement of the new partnership with Toronto, Kerr points to a recent appearance in Vancouver by the Blue Jays Winter Tour, as a fair indication of the love all of Canada has for this organization.
This is a terrific relationship for us here in Vancouver and I think Toronto is looking at this realizing they made the right move as well heading out to partner with the C's".
Without a doubt, the question has to be asked about the love/hate relationship between the City of Vancouver and Toronto, one that has most outside of the Greater Toronto Area calling it the un-official 'Center of the Universe'.
"I say the same thing when I go back for meetings," Kerr says laughing at the occasional ribbing that goes on between friends from different markets.
"It's actually a lot of fun to throw the odd jab back and forth, but everyone I have talked to about this move to the Blue Jays organization says it's a great one and makes a lot of sense. There is simply a connection with this franchise that you can't find with any other team".
Heading into his fifth season as owner, it is clear that Kerr has finally found the light at the end of the tunnel. With a strong fan base, a winning franchise both on and off the field, and now an affiliate match made in heaven - it is clear that for Kerr, life on the diamond has become very satisfying.