[Fantasy Skipper]

Denver, CO -- December 1, 1991 (Evening)-- The expansive, oak-paneled study in Arthur Sterling III's Cherry Hills Village home was dimly lit, the only sounds the crackle of a fire and the clinking of ice in glasses. Gathered around a large mahogany conference table were Art, and his closest confidantes: his sharp, business-savvy daughter Victoria Sterling, his pragmatic Chief Operating Officer of Sterling Holdings, Richard Vance, and Coach Bobby Miller, a retired minor league coach and long-time baseball friend whose wisdom, Art deeply values.

Arthur Sterling III leaned back, a pensive look on his face. "Gentlemen, Victoria, we're down to it. The decision on our General Manager. The future of this franchise, in many ways, hinges on this."

Victoria Sterling: "Father, the public candidates certainly offer a range of philosophies. Frank Moretti brings decades of traditional scouting. He's a known commodity, a 'baseball man' in every sense. But are we looking for tradition, or are we looking to innovate? An expansion team, especially in Denver's unique environment, might need a fresh approach.

Richard Vance: "From a purely operational standpoint, Mr. Sterling, a name like Robert Jenkins, with his track record at Oakland, is appealing. Their ability to identify talent and build a farm system on a budget is impressive. That kind of efficiency will be paramount for a new franchise."

Arthur Sterling III: "Jenkins certainly has a keen eye for talent. But what about the overall vision? The public face" Jake Harrison has the name recognition, the charisma. He could connect with the fans immediately, which is vital for a brand-new team."

Bobby Miller: "Art, Jake's a good man, a fine broadcaster. But building a roster from scratch, navigating drafts and free agency....that's a different animal. It requires singular focus, a relentless drive for talent, and a thick skin. David Miller from Kansas City, he's built a reputation for developing young players, and that's going to be our lifeblood early on. Or Mark Thompson from Toronto, he's got a reputation for being open to new ideas, a blend of old and new thinking."

Arthur Sterling: "Precisely, Bobby. We need someone who can build, not just manage. Someone who understands the long game, not just the next season. This isn't about quick fixes. It's about establishing a foundation that will last for generations. The altitude, the unique challenges of this market...it demands a particular kind of mind. Someone who isn't afraid to think differently, but who also respects the core principles of the game."

He paused, looking at each of them. "I've been reviewing every candidate, every profile. There's a name that keeps coming back to me, someone who might not be on everyone's, or anyone's, radar, but whose vision aligns perfectly with what we aim to achieve here."

The room fell silent, the weight of the impending decision hanging in the air.

Elias "Eli" Vance (Baseball Historian)
"The private chambers of power are where true decisions are forged, often far from the public eye. Arthur Sterling III, surrounded by his trusted circle, wrestled with the conflicting demands of tradition, innovation, and immediate impact. His words hinted at a choice that would surprise many, a testament to his own unconventional streak. The baseball world waited for the announcement, unaware that Sterling was poised to make a move that would not only define his franchise but challenge the very conventions of the game itself."