Wise Kraken 0.2033: Kraken Depart For Free State

[aaronweiner]

Billy Chapel, Jr. was traded in 2030. Frank Thomas III was traded in 2031. And, now, with a team on the rise and sorrow in their hearts, the Carolina Kraken traded in their name, city, and history for a move to GM Aaron Weiner's hometown Rockville, Maryland. The Carolina Kraken are no more, as legendary owner Spike Nolan has sold the team to Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. Albert Nolan, son of Spike Nolan, spoke in a press conference announcing the move.

"While we have enjoyed the three decades we have spent in the Tarheel State, my father is aging and can no longer run the team the way he wants," said the younger Nolan. "Snyder made us a significant offer and we accepted. We appreciate all the fan support we have received over the years and wish only the best for everyone here."

Snyder, in his own press conference, announced the move with some glee.

"Kraken GM Aaron Weiner matches my own aggressive style of managing a team," said Snyder. "While I pledge to let him handle the day-to-day operations of the team, I will certainly encourage him to improve the team through free agency. I love how many big-time prospects we have on this team and we're going to be some kind of force if we open our wallet a little bit. Succeeding in business is not just about making money, and succeeding with this team will be the same - we're going to be a first-class operation all the way."

This is the second move for this franchise. Before the 2000 season, the Hackensack Bulls left New Jersey for Charlotte, NC. Fan interest for the Kraken had dwindled, and only by slashing ticket prices to the lowest in the BBA got Kraken fans out to the ballpark. While the Kraken did play to nearly sold-out crowds, other teams complained about their cut of the $5 tickets and demanded that the Kraken raise ticket prices.

"We really weren't attracting anyone and raising ticket prices would have just kept lots of empty seats," said Kraken GM Aaron Weiner. "We've lost money over the past three years. People complained that they needed a program to tell the players, and nobody was that excited at the games."

The new franchise name will be the Rockville Pikemen, after the iconic road that is Rockville's Main Street. After a significant eminent domain expenditure in an joint effort by Montgomery County and Maryland, the stadium will be placed on Twinbrook Parkway between Viers Mill Road and Rockville Pike in the former site of several businesses. The idea was that many people could walk to the stadium both from the Metro and from single-family homes, and the feel would be much like Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"We thought it was important that we had a community ballpark," said Snyder. "It's one of those things we looked at before deciding to move the team to Rockville, whether or not the city could handle the infrastructure, but we think that it's a good population center and a nice, central location in Montgomery County, so we should have the resources to handle the rush."

With that, this is the last edition of the Wise Kraken, which itself succeeded the Kraken Release back in 2013. We hope you enjoyed reading all the Kraken news that was fit to print over the years. The new publication will be called "Sticking Points," to honor the new team name.

[bcslouck]

Oh, I like this. Didn’t know you were a fellow Marylander.

[usnspecialist]

Oh, I like this. Didn’t know you were a fellow Marylander.

great, that makes at least 2 people on this board who cant drive or use turn signals properly

[bcslouck]

What's a turn signal?

[RonCo]

It's the horn you blow to tell everyone to get out of the way.

[cheekimonk]

RIP, Kraken, and my first (amateurish) attempts at a logo and reveal video...

[BBvideo 425,350][/BBvideo]

[aaronweiner]

First, hey on the driving thing. Just because my car is stuck in reverse doesn't mean it's wrong to drive that way.

Second, sorry, Ben.

[bcslouck]

We have to come up with the Charm City-Rockville rivalry name.

[aaronweiner]

MOCO/BACO?

95 Maniacs?

Crab-off?

Crossing the Old Line?

None of those really hit me...feel free to experiment.

[Lane]

I didn't know that Maryland was physically large enough to house two baseball stadiums.

[aaronweiner]

I didn't know that Maryland was physically large enough to house two baseball stadiums.

We put two baseball stadiums inside your Mom, so I figure Maryland's plenty big enough.

[Lane]

I didn't know that Maryland was physically large enough to house two baseball stadiums.

We put two baseball stadiums inside your Mom, so I figure Maryland's plenty big enough.

[usnspecialist]

We have to come up with the Charm City-Rockville rivalry name.

Old Bay Battle?

[bcslouck]

Trying to think of something with the state, whether it's the flag, or a nickname. Trying to thing of something for Old Line right now.

[cheekimonk]

I didn't know that Maryland was physically large enough to house two baseball stadiums.

We put two baseball stadiums inside your Mom, so I figure Maryland's plenty big enough.

I respect you for not throwing a crab cake line in there...