AU alum Randy Lewandowski earns MiLB Executive of the Year

Randy Lewandowski '93 knows a thing or two about baseball. The Anderson University alum played for legendary coach Don Brandon, serving as a four-year starter as a first baseman and pitcher. He has since spent 31 years with the Indianapolis Indians baseball club where he is currently the president and chief executive officer.

In 31 years of professional baseball, few seasons can compare to 2024 for Lewandowski. The Indians, Triple-A affiliate for the Pittsburgh Pirates, were a part of Paul Skenes-mania as the phenom rookie pitcher made seven starts for the club before ascending to the big leagues. The Savannah Bananas also played at Indy's Victory Field, selling out three games in June.

Lewandowski's work culminated by being named the Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year.

"I view this as an organizational award," said Lewandowski. "I'm fortunate to lead a long-standing organization that's well-respected in baseball, our city, and our community. This is about the Indianapolis Indians, Victory Field, and how we operate."

Skenes, the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State, was dominant in Indy during April and May, holding opposing hitters to a .175 batting average in 27.1 innings of work. Four of his seven appearances were at Victory Field, which helped the Indians lead MiLB in average attendance at 8,405 fans per game.

Having the hottest name in the game in town is an opportunity that doesn't come around often. Lewandowski made sure his club was ready to capitalize.

"Being a minor league baseball club, the players can be transient," said Lewandowski. "But [Skenes] transcended that transiency. As word got out about him it really created great momentum for us the remainder of the year."

Lewandowski's staff was able to get Skenes on the highly-rated Pat McAfee Show, which is produced in Indianapolis, and a Skenes Indians jersey still hangs in the background of the show to this day. Once Skenes was named the MLB Rookie of the Year, the Indians ran a promotion for 2025 tickets.

While Skenes was gone to Pittsburgh by early May, another sensation came in June in the form of the one-of-a-kind Savannah Bananas. The exhibition barnstorming baseball team has rapidly increased in popularity and will host games in NFL stadiums in 2025. For three days in June 2024, the club took over Victory Field, providing fans a different kind of baseball experience, complete with dancing umpires, over-the-top celebrations, and more.

Once again, Lewandowski's staff was ready for the moment.

"We started working on that project a few years ago," said Lewandowski. "We took a leap of faith with the Bananas in 2023 and ended up being their largest crowd of the year. In 2024 they'd grown in popularity, but we were fortunate enough to bring them back for three dates. I think we established a good relationship with them and how we run our operation."

While there isn't another professional baseball team in Indianapolis, the Indians face stiff competition from a host of other teams and venues in the city. Lewandowski and his staff have found ways to stay competitive through various promotions such as Bluey and Bingo appearances from the beloved Australian children's program "Bluey," VIP packages, and more.

"[The competition] keeps us on our toes," said Lewandowski. "It makes us find new and dynamic ways to welcome people to the ballpark."

As for his time at AU, Lewandowski has carried lessons and memories with him over the years, but one in particular influences his work today.

"As a player at AU, one morning we were literally chipping ice off of the tarp before a game," said Lewandowski. "I asked Coach Brandon, 'what are we doing?' and he told me, 'if the game is on the schedule, we're going to do everything in our power to play. We owe it to the game, to the fans, and to all the people involved.'"

Now the president of a professional baseball club, Lewandowski holds that lesson close. If the game is on the schedule, the Indians will do everything they can to play and give the fans their best.