[Bluellama44]

After that bizarre introduction, we got right to work on discussing our goals for the season. I never once learned his name, age, or background during this meeting, but he sounded like he knew what he was doing, which might give him a leg up on past Raisin Bears owners.

"I have 6 key goals for the next few years that I think will lead us to making our organization healthy. My first goal for us this year is to not suck completely. I think under 100 wins is a good benchmark considering this team is almost unrecognizable compared to last year's. With our new lineup, manager and leaders in the clubhouse, I'd be happy with a 70 win season. Thoughts?"

"I think 70 is reasonable. We should be able to meet that goal next year."

"Excellent. My next goal is to increase fan attendance per game to 11,400 in Raisin Bears Ballpark. Now I know our projected attendance is 4,700 next year due to losing key players, but this goal is a long term one and I want it completed by 1973. Our stadium is a classic, historic park. I've watched it be empty for far too long. I hope the young core you're building can draw some fans to Raisin Bears Ballpark over the next few years."

"I'll try my best."

"Now, listen Michael, while I'd rather have a team that's winning and out of money than a team that isn't winning but is turning large profits, I still want us to make money here. I don't expect to turn a large profit this year, but I want us to make at least $210K by the 1972 season. If there's one goal you have to sacrifice to build a winning team, let it be this one."

"Considering our projected balance after this $200K budget drop is $932,530, this is going to be a tough one. I might need more help with this one."

"Alright, I'll see what I can do. One goal I'm really excited to see you achieve is finding a top prospect. The Raisin Bears need at least one star player who can bring fans to the park and be the face of the team. Whether that's someone we already have who you develop, someone you draft or someone you trade for, I don't care, but getting a top prospect and developing him into a great player is something I've wanted to see happen in Fresno for a long time."

"I think having the #1 pick in the upcoming draft puts us in perfect position to get a top prospect. We're looking at High School SP Curtis Murray, I'm sure you've heard the name."

"I sure have, and I'd be thrilled to have him. Although it'd certainly give us some much needed attention around the league, we can't just have one star rising through the ranks. Any good team has a solid supporting cast. I know it can take a long time to build a deep farm when the team is so depleted of impressive big league talent, so I'm giving you 3 years to do so. I understand we have the #19 ranked farm currently, and a few of our best names are going to be debuting this year. However you need to achieve this goal, just try to get it done. I know Nate Derrough has been working on getting guys from around the globe, and I'm willing to help out with that if you keep the payroll low enough. We may even be able to land one of the 16 year old Dominican blue chips.

"I think we're well on our way to building a top farm. This draft will be a huge one for us, and will probably do most of the work in pushing us through the ranks. I'd definitely be willing to go after one of the better International Amateur FAs if the budget allows it."

"I'm happy to hear that, Michael. My final wish is that you bring Fresno a playoff team by the 1972 offseason. We've been deprived of playoff baseball for 21 years and haven't gone over .500 in 31 years. I've been in the booth for 30 and have never been able to celebrate one playoff game victory. The least you can do is get us there."

"That's what I'm here to do, boss."

"Groovy. Catch you later. Good luck preparing the squad for Spring Training with Malone, I hear he has something interesting planned. Can't believe pitchers and catchers report in 2 weeks. I like to think that's the start of a new era in Fresno baseball. I believe that you'll be able to make the next decade here different from the last and win us some ballgames, broski."