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In a decision that many thought would be about as spine tingling as a political party's presidential candidate nomination, Minor League Baseball's board of trustees bestowed its loan recommendation for president upon Pat O'Conner, the chief operating officer and vice president of administration for MiLB.

"I think it was widely considered the board would end up this way, but I tried not to assume anything," said O'Conner, who has been working with Minor League Baseball since 1993. "It was a new process, even though the rule is 16 years old. I was determined to let it work. I don't think anyone was floored that this is where they ended up."

A total of four candidates looking to succeed Mike Moore, who is retiring after 16 years as president, came to Birmingham to meet with the board during the annual Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar. Each had roughly 60 minutes to discuss their backgrounds and outline their hopes for the future if chosen to lead the industry. Memphis Redbirds president and general manager Dave Chase, Red Sox executive Jeremy Kapstein and the former president of the NBA Development League, Phil Evans, took turns selling themselves to the board in meetings that lasted into Tuesday night. The board tabbed O'Conner, who will be officially voted in at the Winter Meetings in Nashville this December.

"I think they got a sense of what they had seen on paper," O'Conner said of the process. "I think they were able to get a grasp of the flavor and the sense of direction the four candidates could and should go.

"My time with them was probably a little different. We didn't need to spend time on what I've been doing the last few years. I did back up and talk a little bit about the body of work -- the two [Professional Baseball Agreements] and two [Collective Bargaining Agreements] negotiated -- I , summarized that quickly and then it was on to what I see as challenges, areas of things we need to do. I outlined and shared those with the board."

Aside from familiarity with the candidate, a chief reason most thought O'Connor's recommendation was all but a done deal was the relative health of the industry. Minor League Baseball, as a whole, is doing well financially and sets attendance records annually. Going with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy, O'Conner was the obvious choice to take Moore's place in January.

"One of the things, though not at great length, we discussed were some of the positives," O'Conner said. "We're not dealing with a broken vehicle. We're not going to stand pat, but we don't have to reinvent the wheel.

"I want to be more involved, I want to be more inclusive, I don't want there to be a sense that there's not a flow of communication. I thought it was a very good exchange and everyone in the room was engaged. I enjoyed it and I hope that's the kind of exchange we will have as we move forward."

O'Conner is also looking forward to future exchanges with the other candidates. He had a lengthy conversation with Kapstein on Friday morning and they both agreed to have an on-going dialogue. He did not, however, get the chance to meet or talk with Evans, the lone candidate who came from outside of baseball completely. Both parties are looking forward to exchanging ideas in the future. Evans believes he has something to offer Minor League Baseball, a different approach to similar problems he faced during his time with basketball's D-League.

"I thought that was my strength, the fact that I had been in minor league basketball for the past 10 years and seen a lot of the same types of issues that are being dealt with in Minor League Baseball," said Evans, who now runs the Evans Sports Group, a consulting firm. "I believe I would've had a different perspective, allowing them to take a fresh set of eyes at the same old problems.

"I would love the opportunity to chat with him about my thoughts. I told the board members, while I think I understand many of the issues Minor League Baseball faces, the reality is that Minor League Baseball has been around for 110 years while minor league basketball is a relative newcomer. But I do think I might be able to be of some assistance."

Evans knew from the beginning that this wasn't going to be an easy task for him or the other two candidates. He's glad he went through the process and clearly knows why the board stuck with O'Conner.

"I enjoyed the opportuity to meet the members of the board of trustees and to make my case," Evans said. "I feel I was given an equal opportnity to present. It was an uphill battle for me or the other two candidates to convince the board they should select us, or recommend one of us, as opposed to Pat.

"I'm obviously disappointed I'm not going to get the job, but I certainly understand the decision they made. He's done an excellent job with Minor League Baseball. He's earned a shot."

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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