by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
After nearly five and a half years, it was time for Kirk Goodman to become general manager of the Jacksonville Suns. He says so and so does his boss, Peter Bragan Jr., team president, owner and former general manager.
“It’s a reward for his hard work,” said Bragan of Goodman’s promotion from assistant general manager. “He’s getting a good raise and he’ll have to work that much harder. We will keep him as long we can. He was due to become a general manager.”
Goodman said he entertained offers for a GM position from other clubs the past few months, but realized that he wanted to stay in Jacksonville.
“I looked at other options because I want to move up,” said Goodman. “Everyone who strives to have a good career should look for advancement opportunities. I wanted this to happen, but I wasn’t sure if they (the Bragans) wanted to give it up. I had an offer from a team in California but I would rather be here than anywhere else in the country. I love it here and there are not many better scenarios in the country.”
The Suns won the Southern League championship last year and the Double A affiliate of the Los Angeles is looking to capitalize on that success at the gate. Goodman said Suns fans won’t notice very many changes initially, but as the season and his tenure as GM progress, some subtle changes will become evident.
“Things will not change overnight,” said Goodman. “I have some things in mind I’d like to try. Pedro and I have been working on things for this year and we have set some things up. I do not want to get in over my head yet.”
Goodman said he’s looking forward to some out-of-the-box promotions and game-day events in the future. But, he warned, there won’t be any death to disco-like nights or anything other than family-oriented promotions.
“There’s a lot of potential for the use of my creativity and the creativity of the staff,” he said. “If something stinks and bombs, it bombs. There won’t be any naked people running around and there won’t be anything risque or illegal. But, there are so many things that you can poke fun at.”
Goodman said his main objective as GM is make sure long-time fans continue to enjoy the game day experience and first-time fans have enough fun they want to come back.