Stan Kasten, president of the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers, spoke via Zoom to the students in the sports analytics class at Lander College for Men on Tuesday March 2. I thanked Stan for giving his time to the students, especially during spring training. It is only fitting that with his strong Jewish upbringing Stan was eager to meet with the Lander students. Stan, who grew up in Lakewood and graduated from MTA High School, went to NYU and then Columbia Law School and was planning a career in law. Prior to starting his law career, he spent a summer travelling and visiting ballparks across the country. After a serendipitous meeting with Ted Turner at a Cardinal-Braves game in
St. Louis, Stan was offered a position with the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, and was soon named president and general manager of that team—and subsequently the Atlanta Braves, as well, which Turner later acquired. Stan also served as president of the expansion Atlanta Thrashers in the NHL at the same time.
After retiring from running the Atlanta teams, Stan served as president of the Washington Nationals and built their new stadium. He again retired and when the opportunity came, he purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Magic Johnson as one of his partners.
Stan explained his winning philosophy for the Dodgers is a combination of having a strong farm system of young talent and not being afraid to spend and hire outstanding free agents like Mookie Betts, David Price and Trevor Bauer. The Dodgers won the most recent World Championship, even with the shortened Covid-19 season.
The Lander students asked a number of excellent questions including the prospects for the Dodgers for this coming year. Stan answered that although the team lost two players, including Jewish Joc Pederson, they have some excellent highly talented players from their Triple A affiliates ready to contribute. There is also still a strong nucleus of returning talent from last year and many team members have also improved their game. Stan believes one cannot sit complacent even if you win a championship, but you must continue to get better to compete.
Regarding analytics, Stan explained that one of the first things he did at the Dodgers was strengthen the analytics department of the Dodgers to see how to increase ticket sales and improve players’ performance on the field. Today the Dodgers have one of the best sports analytics departments in baseball, led by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. In fact the New York Mets just hired away Ben Zauzmer to be their new head of baseball analytics.
Stan explained that he is unique in that he runs every aspect of the team, from the business and operations side to the players and performance. He believes he has the best job in the world and loves what he does. Stan took over an hour out of his busy schedule to speak to the Lander students, who were honored to learn from someone who has been involved with both the Jewish community and Israel and sets such an excellent example in professional sports.
Prof. Ira Jaskoll teaches Sports Management classes at Lander College for Men of Touro College and University System and consults for a number professional sports teams.
