Okay, let me tell you about this guy, Rick Thurman. I started digging into who this guy was and what he’s all about. So, first thing I did was check out his profile online. Turns out, he’s got quite the history. He’s based in Malibu and is pretty well-connected, with over 500 connections.
What really caught my eye was his background in baseball. This guy wasn’t just a fan; he played college baseball at Pepperdine University and even signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I thought, “Wow, he’s been in the game for a long time!” After his playing days, he became an MLBPA Certified Agent and founded the Beverly Hills Sports Council. That’s a big deal in the sports world.
Then, I found out about his involvement with Perfect Game, this huge platform for youth and high school baseball. He teamed up with Rob Ponger, who used to be a big shot at IMG Media. I started reading about how they’re trying to shake things up in youth baseball. One quote that stuck with me was, “The safety of our athletes is always Perfect Game’s top priority.” It’s clear they’re serious about making a positive impact.
I also came across this other quote from Thurman, saying, “What we’re trying to do is, we want to make baseball cool again.” I thought that was pretty awesome. It showed they’re not just about business; they’re passionate about the sport.
Big Changes
So, I kept digging. It seems like since Thurman and Ponger took over Perfect Game in 2022, there have been some big changes. Thurman is now the Chairman, and Ponger is the CEO. I read that they brought in a bunch of Major League Baseball guys as investors, which I thought was a smart move. It’s like getting advice from the pros themselves.
Then, there’s this other thing. Thurman decided to step away from the Beverly Hills Sports Council. I guess he’s really putting all his eggs in the Perfect Game basket now.
One of the things they talked about was bringing “diverse major league expertise” to the table. I thought that was a great idea. It’s like they’re building a dream team to make Perfect Game even better.
Personal Touch
But it’s not all just about business. I found out that Thurman is married to his wife, Ashley, for 14 years. It’s nice to see that he’s got a strong personal life too.
So, there you have it. That’s my deep dive into Rick Thurman. From a baseball player to a big-time agent and now a leader at Perfect Game, he’s had quite the journey. It’s clear he’s passionate about baseball and is making some big moves to shape the future of the sport for young players.
I’ll keep following what he and Ponger are up to at Perfect Game. It seems like they’re onto something big, and I’m excited to see where it goes. It’s not every day you see someone with so much experience and passion trying to make a difference like this.
