Peter “Pedro” Bragan Jr. was in a dancing kind of mood Monday morning.
Never mind the protective boot covering his bum wheel — he was up for a short shuffle reminiscent of Jed Clampett.
Possibly because it was announced he’d sold the Jacksonville Suns — the team his family has owned for 31 years — for a reported price of more than $20 million. Then again, the scene was something the outgoing Bragan might have done just because.
It won’t be Bragan’s last dance, either.
Although the sale to Akron RubberDucks owner Ken Babby was formally announced Monday, it won’t go into effect until September. That gives Bragan one more season, in what he and the team are calling “Pedro’s Last Dance.”
There will be promotions featuring the Bragan’s swan song season, vehicle giveaways and bobbleheads. And lots of dancing.
“Maybe once a night,” he said Monday evening. “Maybe just like Jed (Clampett) one night, a foxtrot the next or a little jig.”
He called the decision to sell to Babby, a former Washington Post advertising executive, a bittersweet feeling. Bragan has had a role all 31 years and said he hasn’t really imagined a day when he woke up and didn’t head toward the ballpark.The first 18 years to a dying Wolfson Park, the past 13 (including the upcoming one) to the pristine Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
Almost two and a half years ago, his father and longtime team owner, Peter Bragan Sr. passed away. Afterward, Bragan received a couple of overtures about selling, but disregarded them as someone trying to capitalize on a possible weak moment. His accountant told him to wait at least a couple of years before making any decision.
Then Babby entered the picture around November. Jacksonville had hosted the Southern League All-Star Game with much success. Babby, a fellow minor league owner, wanted to learn how Bragan did it.
So, he came to Jacksonville and met with Bragan. They sat in a box overlooking the field reminiscent of Camden Yards, home of Babby’s childhood team, the Baltimore Orioles. And Babby simply said, “Give me a number.”
“Then I started thinking about it,” Bragan said.
Turning 64 in April, no heir in the family, a new sense of retiring and an attractive offer, Bragan agreed to the deal.
Babby, 35, said his mission will be to put the fans first, just like the Bragans have. He wants to continue the tradition the family set and build on that foundation laid over the past 30 years. He’s active in the Akron community and Bragan said he’ll do the same in Jacksonville.
“He has the enthusiasm and the wherewithal,” Bragan said. “He’s got ‘it.’”
Bragan said during the news conference that Babby doesn’t really own the Jacksonville Suns. Neither has he nor his family. Instead, it’s the fans with the owners merely being stewards to guide the franchise.
When he’s done, Bragan said he’ll step away for a bit. Go to Hawaii with his wife. To Alaska during the summer, when king salmon are in season. Work on building a beach house and lowering the handicap on his golf game.
That will have to wait several months, though. For one more season, Bragan is the steward. And he’ll be dancing until the end.
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