Former Baseball Hall of Fame president and native-Detroiter, Dale Petroskey, has joined the front office of the Texas Rangers. He will serve the Rangers as the executive vice president of marketing and community development.
Dale grew up in Inkster and later moved to Birmingham. As a kid, he wiped down seats at Tiger Stadium as a junior usher. After graduating from Michigan State University, Dale landed in Washington, DC, and worked as an assistant press secretary for Ronald Reagan.
In 1983, Dale, along with his brother Denny and friend Bill Mackay, created the Mayo Smith Society, a network of Tigers fans who are scattered all across the globe. The Society is still active and is hosting its annual event in Detroit on May 24.
I had the good fortune of meeting Dale about 15 years ago as a customer at The Designated Hatter (now Detroit Athletic Co.). I can tell you that I have never met a kinder soul in my entire life. Dale has a unique gift of making anyone he addresses feel as though they are the most important person in the world — whether he’s talking to a Hall of Famer like Yogi Berra or a Little Leaguer he’s never before met. And I can assure you he is sincere.
In my opinion, Dale has been an incredible diplomat for baseball and I am thrilled he is staying in the game. Rangers’ president Nolan Ryan scooped Dale up as soon as he became available and with good reason. I have no doubt Dale will build a significant community of support for the Rangers — much like he did in Cooperstown.
My best wishes to Dale and his wonderful family.
Native-Detroiter Dale Petroskey, above, is an asset to baseball.
