EBL - Lew Wolff

SUMMER 2013

east bay local Your East Bay Connection

M A G A Z I N E

SPECIAL MAGIC THAT IS LEW WOLFF Owner of the Oakland A’s, THE

the San Jose Earthquakes

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Lew Wolff and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson enjoy a laugh before a game.

f f l 5 o W

THE SPECIAL MAGIC THAT IS

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Owner of the Oakland A’s, the San Jose Earthquakes and Many Beautiful Offices Buildings and Hotels

arrived early at the Oakland Coliseum to meet with Lew Wolff, the Owner of the Oakland A’s, the San Jose Earthquakes , plus the owner of some of the nicest hotels and the developer of some of the nicest office buildings anywhere. It was just a few hours before game time.

“Come on in”, said the friendly gate other Major League Baseball teams. They attendant. “It’s Tuesday – parking is free also take great pride in their “tremendous on Tuesdays. Have a great time – enjoy community outreach”, outside of baseball. the game!” Happily, I proceeded to the Lew was quick to say just how very proud Executive Offices. Once there, Maggie and and grateful he is for the partnership with the then Carolyn greeted me with the warmest Fisher Family. He wanted it known that they welcome imaginable. are one of the most Maggie has been with solid and charitable the A’s since 1981 and families he has ever Carolyn since 1989 – seen and how fortunate there was such joy with we are because of them and everyone. I them. “They have believe it comes from done so much for our the top. community.”

Right there, to Lew has been Maggie’s right, was an involved with a number amazing sight – there of charitable causes, they were: FOUR World in particular: “Stand Series Championship Up For Cancer”. This Trophies: 1972, 1973, also happens to be 1974 and, yes, 1989.

Major League Baseball’s Yes, a storied history. largest charity. As he Suddenly, my next stop, eloquently puts it: “It a very warm welcome seems we all have been from Lew Wolff himself. touched, by cancer We had met once … or know people before, he was the who have”. When the keynote speaker at a decision of where to Community Leadership host the premier of the Breakfast. movie “Moneyball” took Let me start out by place, Lew stepped in Lew Wolff and A’s President Michael saying that Lew likes the and made sure that it Crowley enjoy a Spring Training game concept of Positive Role took place in Oakland in Phoenix.

Models and Heroes. He at the Paramount smiled the entire time Theater. That premier we were together – and always was so quick raised over a quarter of a million dollars for about praising everyone else. When I started the Children’s Hospital in Oakland as well as mentioning all the awards he has received, he “Stand Up for Cancer”. simply shrugged it off. He does so much and Lew sits on committees, yet he added that cares so much about community, and people he doesn’t particularly enjoy committees. “I in general, especially children. “All we want like it when I can move something forward to do, is touch all our fans, especially the kids, on my own – rather than by committee.” He and do good things. We want to create joy in promptly added how very much he admires the areas we often can’t control – such as illness likes of John Sobrato and the Sobrato Family or adverse circumstances.”

– and what they have done, and are doing for Lew expressed how the A’s strive to our community, raising hundreds of millions of provide a friendly environment, parallel with dollars annually to directly benefit community.

I was curious. Lew is involved with so much, and does so much, how does he balance things while appearing so calm and in control? And, yes, does Billy Beane in real life look like Brad Pitt (or vice versa)?

The Oakland A’s – Last year they expected to be competitive, and, yes, it was, indeed, exciting. “And now, we always look forward”, Lew said, “not backward.” This year, he expects games to be close. “You know, we are facing Lew Wolff enjoying time in the clubhouse prior to a game teams that have a team salary with A’s First Baseman Brandon Moss and Pitcher Evan that is maybe two-times, threetimes, even four-times our team Scribner. salary – like the Yankees, Red was the first time this had ever been done in Sox and Angels. We can’t afford a big name Major League Baseball. and then possibly make a mistake. We have And Bob Melvin? “Billy had known Bob worked hard to be competitive. The one really well, and when Bob came on board, to thing missing is the venue - something more be our Manager, he brought such a passion to modern that would sit 32,000 to 36,000 fans. win and such preparation, like I have never That would make a big difference. So much seen. His preparation is amazing.“ As an of the revenue to work with comes from organization, Lew feels, they are in a great attendance.” position to win.

Lew stressed how he is blessed with a The Earthquakes – Lew is delighted with great support-team. The team President, the excitement and growth surrounding Mike Crowley, and the General Manager, the Earthquakes and Bay Area Soccer.

Billy Beane, have been there for years, and The Earthquakes play on the Santa Clara Manager Bob Melvin who came on board University campus in Buck Shaw Stadium. this last year, are all terrific. Both Mike and The capacity is 10,000 and they are always Billy were already there when Lew purchased full. The Earthquakes put in four million the team eight years ago – and it was Lew’s dollars to help restore the stadium. In choice to keep them on. addition, they also generously donated to “I like consistency”, Lew said. When the University two state-of-the-art, grass the people are great at what they do, and and artificial grass, practice fields for the we work so well together, like we do, it just outstanding Santa Clara University soccer made sense to keep them. In addition, program to enjoy. “We are very grateful for if a team goes into a slump, it shouldn’t the wonderful relationship we have with necessarily mean a quick dismissal. In this Santa Clara University”, Lew said. case, however, Lew gave both Mike and Billy a The new state-of-the-art soccer stadium stake of ownership in the A’s organization - to the Earthquakes are building, across from show them the overall team commitment – the San Jose Airport, will have a capacity that they are indeed a team – and where this

of 17,000 and will be ready in 2014 or the beginning of 2015. The $80 million stadium is being completely funded by the Fisher Family and is already being considered architecturally as one of the best and most beautiful soccer stadiums in the country.

Back at Lew’s office, it was immaculate.

How could there be so much activity and everything be in place, like it was? Lew is also 77 years young, and fit. At 5AM that

join him, and what company there might be, that night (or day).

Lew and his wife Jean live most of the time in their Southern California home – flying back and forth on his plane. Lew said he can often get to an A’s game in Anaheim quicker from here than if he were driving here, from one stadium to another, from Oakland to Santa Clara. His wife, Jean, is an established artist. She has worked primarily with sculpture but is now focusing on acrylics and doing collages. You can enjoy her beautiful works by visiting her website at: www.sculptjean.com.

They have three children and are a closeknit family. Keith is a Harvard MBA, and is into the sports, hotels and development side of the family business. Their daughter, Kari, is married to Dean Rossi, a Bay Area Attorney, and they have three children (ages 17, 15 and 5 – which brings much joy to the proud grandparents). In addition, Kari is also very busy being involved with the A’s Community Outreach. Their son, Kevin, marches to a different drummer. He is in New Mexico, where he, too, is very busy, working diligently to preserve the environment.

What makes Lew tick? Foremost, he is happy. He loves his life and what he does – and it shows. He is very bright and has always made it a point to surround himself with bright people. When I was walking down the hall to meet with Lew, there was Mike on the phone morning, he was up and working out on – he waved hello. Then in the next office, the elliptical. He was wearing a beautiful there, on his computer, was Billy Beane. He, 2012 American League Western Division too, waved hello and, yes, Brad Pitt was a great Champions polo shirt. He also has plenty choice to play Billy Beane (or vice versa). of energy – both physically and mentally. It And then at the end of the hall, there was mid-afternoon, he had had a full day of was Lew. “Hello, Ken. It’s nice to see you.” appointments, one after another. Already a “Hello Lew, it’s so great to see you”, I said. full day … and then still a night game ahead What’s it like, I was thinking … Indeed, what of him. He was ready. He was loving it. I a day, every day … It’s a wonderful life. expect he’ll be back on his elliptical again Right after our meeting, the A’s went on at 5AM tomorrow, indeed ready to meet the a very long winning streak. I told Lew that new day. Billy Beane, on the other hand, likes maybe I brought them good luck. When, in to work out during the games – which he fact, I know it’s all been designed from where regularly does – except when Lew asks him to Lew sits, to be that way.