Hart Shows No Heart

GM John Hart (along with manager Buck Showalter) just signed extended contracts to remain with the Texas Rangers. Showalter is signed through 2009. Hart is signed through 2006 and is renewed on an annual basis every year until either he or Rangers owner Tom Hicks decide to end the agreement, at which point Hart will serve as a senior advisor to Hicks for five years.

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem. Except John Hart has totally gone back on his word and hindered another's career along the way. When Hart took the Rangers GM job following the 2001 season, he brought in Grady Fuson as an Assistant GM who would assume the GM role when Hart stepped away after a short stint (2 seasons) as the boss in Arlington.

Prior to making the move to the Rangers, Grady Fuson was scouting director for the Oakland A's. Fuson was regarded as one of the best in the business and was responsible for the A's drafts that included Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. Fuson was on the top of peoples' list as an up-and-coming general manager to be. The Rangers appeared to win the Fuson sweepstakes.

Part of the deal to lure Fuson from the A's to the Rangers was the agreement that Fuson would take over GM duties prior to the 2004 season. When that didn't happen and Hart chose to stay on longer, Fuson realized he got stiffed. He saw that the door of opportunity was shut in his face and he resigned effective the end of the 2004 season knowing he had no future there and had been misled.

Some may see Hart's extension to remain with the Rangers as a team rightfully locking up their guy and granting him security. I see it as the continuation of a liar and backstabber who went back on his word for his own betterment and to the detriment of one to whom he made a broken promise.

John Hart found the career security that was worth his treachery. Now all Grady Fuson can do is wait and see if another organization is willing to open a door to him.

And how could we blame him if he would seem in the least bit mistrusting?