Joe Kernan Realizes His Dream (Baseball!)

[democraticinsurgent]

An investor group led by former Gov. Joe Kernan is buying South Bend's minor league baseball team, blocking the efforts of another suitor who wanted to move the team to southern Illinois.

Kernan, a catcher for Notre Dame's baseball team in the 1960s, had talked of buying the South Bend Silver Hawks before he was elevated from lieutenant governor when Gov. Frank O'Bannon died in 2003.

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Kernan, a Democrat, has been quiet about his plans since he lost his bid for a full term as governor to Republican Mitch Daniels in 2004. He and his wife, Maggie, returned to their home in South Bend after the election defeat ended 17 years in public office that included nine years as the city's mayor and statewide wins as O'Bannon's running mate in 1996 and 2000.

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South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke said he was delighted that a local ownership group would keep the Silver Hawks, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in Coveleski Stadium.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060310/SPORTS/603100541

--I know Kernan's heart was NOT in being Governor and it showed in his 2004 campaign. It stinks that we ended up with My Man Mitch but I am thrilled for this great man being able to realize his dream. Go Joe!