Brad Corbett Dies: Former Texas Rangers Owner Passes At 75

Brad Corbett, the former owner of the Texas Rangers, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 75.

Corbett owned the team from 1974 through 1980 and was perhaps best known for frequently changing managers of his team.

The former owner’s daughter conformed Corbett’s death, saying that her father was not sick recently but that he passed away in his sleep, according to Yahoo! Sports.

The Texas Rangers also issued a statement regarding their former owner’s death, saying:

“The Texas Rangers are saddened to hear of the death of Brad Corbett. His tenure as owner was marked by a passion and drive to bring a winning team to the fans of North Texas.”

While they were under Corbett’s direction, the team saw six managers go through the doors in six years — four of which were seen during the 1977 season alone. The team’s first four winning seasons also came under Corbett’s direction. They finished second in the AL West division three times as well.

ESPN notes that, in the statement about Brad Corbett’s passing, the team added, “The spirit in which Mr. Corbett served as owner of the Rangers will be remembered always.

The former team owner initially made his money in the plastics industry where he turned a $300,000 Small Business Administration loan into a multimillion-dollar company. He purchased the team from Bob Short after the Rangers were moved to Texas from Washington D.C. and sold it to Eddie Chiles, a Fort Worth, Texas oil man, in 1980.

Corbett was often involved in decision-making for the team including players to trade and acquire. He was known for trading away three future Hall of Fame pitchers during his time as owner.