The Fresno Grizzlies could find themselves on unstable grounds, at least for some time, after the baseball team’s longtime president — who guided the franchise through some of its greatest moments but also turbulent times — resigned abruptly.
The Grizzlies announced this week that Derek Franks was stepping down after 22 years with the minor league team, having ascended over time from ticket office intern to president.
His resignation comes five weeks before the season opener.
Exact reasons for Franks’ departure and the timing of his resignation were not immediately known. He could not be reached for comment.
“Derek’s impact on the Grizzlies and the Central Valley simply cannot be overstated,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, Executive Chairman and CEO of Diamond Baseball Holdings, respectively, in a news release. “Over the course of more than two decades, he played a central role in shaping the club into a cornerstone of the community, leading with vision, creativity and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Derek Franks, left, poses with a photograph with team president Chris Cummings, right, after Cummings announced Franks as the new general manager for the Fresno Grizzlies at a press conference March 5, 2015 held at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Derek Franks and the Fresno Grizzlies
In Franks’ time with the Grizzlies, the downtown Fresno franchise saw significant growth and change, and earned national recognition.
Franks, 41, helped with the multi-million dollar renovations at Chukchansi Park, and assembled a front office that achieved national awards through its ability to rebrand the franchise and establish creative promotions and events, including the popular Taco Truck Throwdown.
His two decades with the club also came with challenges, including four Major League affiliation changes (most notably the San Francisco Giants leaving Fresno), the cancellation of the entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and maneuvering through two different ownership changes.
And perhaps the franchise’s toughest task of them all: When Major League Baseball took over Minor League Baseball and forced the Grizzlies in 2021 to drop from Triple-A to low Class A.
“When you have an employee for 20-plus years and someone who’s in a leadership role, it’s hard to understate the value they have to the culture of the workplace and the ability to set the pace and communicate the objective of what the business is trying to accomplish,” said former Grizzlies President Pat Filippone, whose tenure in Fresno preceded Frank’s time in charge. “And I know Derek has worked very hard over the years for the Grizzlies.
“It’s a fun job. But the fact is: The job has changed over the years; the industry has changed; the focus of the day-to-day operations from our chair has changed.
“Some have adjusted. And some who’ve been in the industry longer and enjoyed what it was before, it’s harder to adjust.”
Fresno Grizzlies general manager Derek Franks announces the Bacon vs. Tacos online contest against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. The contest will decide once and for all, which minor league team boasts the better food. ANGEL MORENO The Fresno Bee Off-field emphasis
Though presidents of minor league baseball teams have no control of the on-field personnel decisions and often have little say with what Major League club the minor league team is affiliated with, Franks and his staff emphasized the off-the-field atmosphere and services at Chukchansi Park.
For his efforts, Franks was named 2015 Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year.
The organization also earned during Frank’s tenure:
2017 Bob Freitas Award from Baseball America, recognizing the top overall operation in Minor League BaseballTwo Golden Bobblehead Awards, Minor League Baseball’s annual league-wide honors2017 Ballpark Digest Promotion of the Year (”Bacon vs. Tacos”)Back-to-Back nominations for the Larry MacPhail Award (2015-2016)2015 Triple-A National ChampionshipFive World Series titles by the club’s Major League parent affiliatesNational recognition for innovative and fan-focused promotions
“The past 22 years have been a dream come true,” the Kingsburg native said in a news release. “I grew up in this organization, and it shaped far more than my career, it shaped my life. I met my wife because of this job. My kids grew up at the ballpark.
“I’ve built friendships here in Fresno and throughout Minor League Baseball that I know will last a lifetime.”
Fresno Grizzlies mascot Parker holds his new contract for the coming season with Fresno Grizzlies president Derek Franks during an unveiling event for the new team uniform colors Tuesday evening, Jan. 29, 2019 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Ownership changes
In 2018, Franks oversaw the first Grizzlies ownership change in 13 years when the Fresno Baseball Club (led by Chris Cummings) sold the franchise to Fresno Sports & Events, LLC.
Under that ownership, along with help from the City of Fresno, Chukchansi Park experienced $15 million in upgrades, including the additions of Fresno Social, the Splash Park and a new videoboard.
Then in 2023, Diamond Baseball Holdings purchased the Grizzlies as part of its conglomeration of more than 40 minor league teams that the New York-based group owns and manages.
The sale concerned some City of Fresno councilmembers about Frank’s uncertain future, with Franks working as the team president without a contract and instead as an at-will employee, according to a GV Wire story in 2023.
“I’d start the next 20 (years) if you guys will have me,” Franks said then. “All indications are, I’ll be around for a long time.”
Henry Shepherd, the DBH head of mergers and acquisitions, said then that it was not the standard of DBH to place its executives under contract but added that:
“We are crazy about Derek. We have no intention of moving Derek. I’m on the record here. Derek is our local representative. He is the face of the franchise and this was very intentional to kind of invest behind Derek.”
The Grizzlies plan to announce a new general manager next week.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Diamond Baseball Holdings for the expertise, support, and belief they’ve brought to this organization,” Franks said. “They’ve strengthened the foundation in meaningful ways, and I leave knowing the team is in a great place with a phenomenal ownership group.
“I’m proud of what we’ve built, thankful for the friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Added Pat Battle and Peter Freund, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Diamond Baseball Holdings: “We are deeply grateful for his dedication to the Grizzlies and the city of Fresno, and we wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter.”
Derek Franks, right, then director of inside sales, helped show off the Fresno Grizzlies’ new uniforms when they debuted in November 2007. JOHN WALKER The Fresno Bee
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Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.