Art SAVAGE

SAVAGE, Art
July 3, 1951 - November 21, 2009
Art Savage, majority owner and CEO of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, passed away at the age of 58 due to complications of lung cancer.

Art was a loving husband, son, father, and grandfather. He will be missed by his wife Susan, his mother Rhoda, his sons, Jeff and Brent, his daughter-in-law Ulrike, his grandson Alec, and his brother Jim.

Art was born to Kyle and Rhoda Savage on July 3, 1951, in Amarillo, Texas. After graduating from high school, he went on to attend Texas Tech University. He married his soul mate, best friend, and the love of his life, Susan, at the young age of 18. Susan and Art's marriage was a source of both strength and joy as they weathered the ups and downs of their journey through life together.

Upon graduating from college, Art and Susan made the move to California. Art started his career in accounting at Haskins and Sells in Los Angeles, and eventually moved to San Francisco. Business contacts led him into the field of sports management, which would define his professional life. He was an executive with both the San Jose Sharks and the Cleveland Cavaliers before delving into the world of professional baseball. In 1998, he became the majority owner of the Vancouver Canadians and in 2000 relocated the team to Sacramento. The Sacramento River Cats were born, and their new home was Art's vision: a state-of-the-art ballpark in West Sacramento, Raley Field. The next ten years would bring unparalleled success in the world of Triple-A baseball: eight division titles, four Pacific Coast League championships, and two Triple-A championships. Additionally, Art was personally honored as ''The Sporting News Minor League Executive of the Year'' and the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's ''Sacramento Businessman of the Year'' in 2000. The following year he was named the Pacific Coast League ''Executive of the Year''. His contributions were again recognized in 2008, when he was chosen as ''Humanitarian of the Year'' by the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento.

Success to Art meant more than wins and titles, however. Upon establishing himself in Sacramento, he also focused his efforts and talents toward the community. He began the River Cats Foundation, a charity which serves needy children, youth, and families in the Sacramento area. He was involved with the establishment of River Cats Independence Field, a facility where people with disabilities can play ''baseball without boundaries''. To Art, ''everybody plays'' were truly words to live by.

In the midst of his vast business and community contributions, Art's heart always lay with his family and friends. Art was a humble man, and had a way of making any person in his presence feel like the only person in his presence. His sons, Jeff and Brent, were the light of his life, and he was their hero. The beginning of his battle with cancer coincided with the birth of his grandson, which made these last two years especially poignant for him. The two had a special bond, one only a granddaddy and grandson can know, and he will be missed beyond words.

Art Savage was a man of quiet greatness, of character, integrity, and joy. He is an inspiration to all those whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Art's wishes, the Savage family has requested a donation in Art's memory to the River Cats Foundation, in care of the Sacramento River Cats.

The memorial service is open to the public and will be held at Raley Field on Saturday, November 28 at 1:00pm.