MVP Texas | Houston Astros sold to Jim Crane, will move to AL

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Houston Astros sold to Jim Crane, will move to AL

Written by Staff and Wire Reports

Saturday, 19 November 2011 01:18

The sale of the Houston Astros to Houston businessman Jim Crane was approved Thursday by Major League Baseball.

Houston businessman Jim Crane has sealed the deal to buy the Houston Astros on Thursday for $610 million after the transaction was approved Thursday by Major League Baseball .

With the purchase, the baseball team will move from the National League to the American League starting in the 2013 season.

“I welcome Jim Crane and his group as they prepare to become the new stewards of the Astros," said Bud Selig, MLB Commissioner, in a statement. "I thank them for their patience and determination throughout a long but necessary process, which allowed us to accomplish our due diligence. The enthusiasm of Jim and his group will serve the Astros and their fans very well in the years ahead.”

MLB.com reports the almost 50-year-old baseball team, which was sold by longtime owner Drayton McLane after several prior attempts did not pan out, will be a part of the AL West, the same division as the Texas Rangers.

McLane purchased the Astros in 1992.

Crane, who was a baseball pitcher at Central Missouri State College, also once tried to buy the Texas Rangers along with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban but lost out to former Astros pitcher Nolan Ryan.

His move to buy the Astros took longer than anticipated, with a vote planned in August delayed by MLB owners due to questions about Crane’s past business dealings.

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