WHO RAN THE MARINERS

George L. Argyros

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Argyros, who acquired the Mariners on Jan. 14, 1981, has been criticized by Seattle fans for not spending enough money to make the Mariners competitive in the American League’s West Division. Seattle has never finished higher than fourth under his ownership, and the Mariners have had five managers in six years.

The 50-year-old real estate magnate has been an active owner, having served as a member of baseball’s Revenue Sharing Committee, Restructuring Committee, American League board of directors and the Commissioner Selection Committee, which recommended the hiring of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth.

He is also involved in community affairs, having served as chairman of Western Washington’s United Cerebral Palsy Telethon and honorary chairman of the Puget Sound Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s fund-raising effort.

The bulk of Argyros’ real estate development has occurred in Orange County, and he is believed to have been funding some relatively minor real estate developments in San Diego.

Charles G. Armstrong

President

Named president and chief operating officer of the Mariners on Oct. 19, 1983, Armstrong, 44, was responsible for all aspects of the Seattle organization, reporting directly to owner George Argyros. He spent the previous four years as president and chief executive officer of Argyros’ Arnel Management Co. in Orange County.

Armstrong, who starred in baseball, basketball and football at his Louisville high school, was offered baseball contracts by the Kansas City A’s and the Cincinnati Reds but he declined in order to attend Purdue University, where he was a varsity infielder.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Purdue in 1964 and attended Stanford University Law School, graduating with a juris doctorate degree. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the American Bar Assn.

Dick Balderson

Vice President, Baseball Operations

In his one season with the Mariners, Balderson, 41, was responsible for the team’s major league operations, player development and scouting departments. Before joining Seattle, he served as the Kansas City Royals’ director of player development.

Balderson spent 10 years with the Royals and helped form and direct one of baseball’s most successful minor league systems.

His minor league pitching career ended in June, 1975, at Double-A Jacksonville (Southern League) and he moved to the Royals’ front office before the 1976 season, assuming the duties of assistant farm director. He was promoted to the position of director of minor league operations in 1980 and then named director of scouting and player development in 1981.

A graduate of the University of Richmond, Balderson starred on the Spiders’ baseball team (1966-68) and holds the school’s single-season records for complete games, shutouts and innings pitched. He also is the Spiders’ all-time leader in complete games, shutouts and earned-run average (1.58).