Pat Gillick
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Patrick David Gillick (born 22 August 1937) is a retired American
professional baseball
executive. He was the general manager
of four Major League Baseball
teams, and guided two teams to three World Series
championships in his career: in 1992 and 1993 titles with the Toronto Blue Jays
, and a 2008 title with the Philadelphia Phillies
.
Gillick was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
, California
. In 1951, he earned his Eagle Scout
from the Boy Scouts of America
. He continued to stay involved in Scouting and received the Order of the Arrow
's Vigil Honor mere months after winning the College World Series at USC. After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, Pat attended USC
and joined the Delta Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in business
. He was also a gifted pitcher
, playing on the 1958 National Title
baseball team at USC and spending five years in the minor league systems of the Baltimore Orioles
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
, venturing as high as Triple-A. A left-hander, Gillick posted a won/lost record of 45–32 with an earned run average
of 3.42 in 164 minor league games.
. He would eventually work his way up to the position of Director of Scouting before moving to the New York Yankees
system in 1974 as a Coordinator of Player Development. In 1976, he moved again, this time to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays
, becoming their Vice President of Player Personnel, and in 1977, their Vice President of Baseball Operations. Prior to the team's second season, he became the general manager. In 1984, he was named Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.
As Toronto's general manager, Gillick won five division titles (1985, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993) and led the club to their first World Series
championships in 1992 and 1993. Shortly after Gillick left, the Blue Jays went into decline, not finishing higher than 3rd place until the 2006 season.
In 1995, Gillick was named the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles organization and he guided the Orioles to the playoffs in 1996 and 1997. He left at the conclusion of his three-year contract in 1998. The Orioles have not had a winning season since.
Gillick then became the general manager of the Seattle Mariners
, who had parlayed their incredible 1995 playoff run into a new ballpark and the financial resources to become a perennial contender. Upon his hiring, the responsibility fell on Gillick to trade Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati after Griffey played out his final season in Seattle. The Mariners made back-to-back playoff appearances for the only time in franchise history in 2000 and 2001, and the 2001 team, with a 116-46 record, tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the all time Major League Baseball
record for most wins in a single season. However, the Mariners failed to make it past the American League Championship Series
in either year, and did not make the playoffs for the rest of Gillick's tenure as GM and advisor.
Like the Blue Jays and Orioles, the Mariners have also not reached the playoffs since his departure as GM.
Gillick was inducted into the Toronto Blue Jays "Level of Excellence" on August 8, 2002.
On November 2, 2005, Gillick was named the Philadelphia Phillies
' general manager. Gillick's first big move in Philadelphia was to trade Jim Thome
and cash to the Chicago White Sox
for Aaron Rowand
and prospects Gio Gonzalez
and Daniel Haigwood.
In June 2006, Gillick faced criticism from members of the media and women's groups for allowing pitcher Brett Myers
to make his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox
on June 24, 2006, just one day after being arrested for assaulting his wife on a Boston street. Gillick was quoted by The New York Times
as saying "I think it's in the best interest of the club; he's our best pitcher".
Gillick had permanent residence in Toronto with his wife Doris, but they have since re-located to Seattle after he became the Phillies GM. He became a Canadian citizen in 2004.
Gillick retired as a GM after leading the Phillies to a World Series championship in 2008. Rubén Amaro, Jr.
was named his successor. Although he retired from all general manager duties, Gillick decided to remain an advisor to the team.
.
In 1997, Gillick was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
.
In 2008, baseball fans nationwide voted him the MLB "This Year in Baseball Awards
" Executive of the Year.
Also in 2008, he was named "King of Baseball
", a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.
In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named him as number 7 on its list of the Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade (in all sports).
In December 2010
, Gillick was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
.
On July 24, 2011, Gillick was formally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Roberto Alomar
and Bert Blyleven
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
executive. He was the general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of four Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
teams, and guided two teams to three World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships in his career: in 1992 and 1993 titles with the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, and a 2008 title with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Gillick was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Early life
Gillick was born to former minor league baseball player Larry Gillick in ChicoChico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 1951, he earned his Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
from the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. He continued to stay involved in Scouting and received the Order of the Arrow
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
's Vigil Honor mere months after winning the College World Series at USC. After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, Pat attended USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and joined the Delta Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
. He was also a gifted pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, playing on the 1958 National Title
1958 College World Series
The NCAA Men's Division I College World Series involved 8 schools playing in double-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college baseball. It began on June 13, and ended with the championship game on June 19...
baseball team at USC and spending five years in the minor league systems of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, venturing as high as Triple-A. A left-hander, Gillick posted a won/lost record of 45–32 with an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.42 in 164 minor league games.
Front office career
Gillick retired from playing and began a front-office career in 1963 when he became the assistant farm director with the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He would eventually work his way up to the position of Director of Scouting before moving to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
system in 1974 as a Coordinator of Player Development. In 1976, he moved again, this time to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, becoming their Vice President of Player Personnel, and in 1977, their Vice President of Baseball Operations. Prior to the team's second season, he became the general manager. In 1984, he was named Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.
As Toronto's general manager, Gillick won five division titles (1985, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993) and led the club to their first World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships in 1992 and 1993. Shortly after Gillick left, the Blue Jays went into decline, not finishing higher than 3rd place until the 2006 season.
In 1995, Gillick was named the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles organization and he guided the Orioles to the playoffs in 1996 and 1997. He left at the conclusion of his three-year contract in 1998. The Orioles have not had a winning season since.
Gillick then became the general manager of the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, who had parlayed their incredible 1995 playoff run into a new ballpark and the financial resources to become a perennial contender. Upon his hiring, the responsibility fell on Gillick to trade Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati after Griffey played out his final season in Seattle. The Mariners made back-to-back playoff appearances for the only time in franchise history in 2000 and 2001, and the 2001 team, with a 116-46 record, tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the all time Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
record for most wins in a single season. However, the Mariners failed to make it past the American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
in either year, and did not make the playoffs for the rest of Gillick's tenure as GM and advisor.
Like the Blue Jays and Orioles, the Mariners have also not reached the playoffs since his departure as GM.
Gillick was inducted into the Toronto Blue Jays "Level of Excellence" on August 8, 2002.
On November 2, 2005, Gillick was named the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
' general manager. Gillick's first big move in Philadelphia was to trade Jim Thome
Jim Thome
James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
and cash to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Aaron Rowand
Aaron Rowand
Aaron Ryan Rowand is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who has played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released by the Giants in September 2011.-Early life and college career:...
and prospects Gio Gonzalez
Gio Gonzalez
Giovany A. Gonzalez is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Early life:...
and Daniel Haigwood.
In June 2006, Gillick faced criticism from members of the media and women's groups for allowing pitcher Brett Myers
Brett Myers
Brett Allen Myers is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently playing for the Houston Astros.-High school career:...
to make his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on June 24, 2006, just one day after being arrested for assaulting his wife on a Boston street. Gillick was quoted by The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
as saying "I think it's in the best interest of the club; he's our best pitcher".
Gillick had permanent residence in Toronto with his wife Doris, but they have since re-located to Seattle after he became the Phillies GM. He became a Canadian citizen in 2004.
Gillick retired as a GM after leading the Phillies to a World Series championship in 2008. Rubén Amaro, Jr.
Rubén Amaro, Jr.
Rubén Amaro, Jr. is the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.He is also a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to . He is the son of former infielder Rubén Amaro, Sr....
was named his successor. Although he retired from all general manager duties, Gillick decided to remain an advisor to the team.
Honors and awards
In 1993, Sporting News awarded its Sportsman of the Year honor to Gillick and Blue Jays manager Cito GastonCito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
.
In 1997, Gillick was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum is a museum located in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. The museums commemorates great players, teams, and accomplishments of baseball in Canada.-History:...
.
In 2008, baseball fans nationwide voted him the MLB "This Year in Baseball Awards
This Year in Baseball Awards
This Year in Baseball Awards, initiated by Major League Baseball in , are honors given annually to the most extraordinary baseball performances, players, and managers. Baseball fans select the nominees for and winners of the awards, via the online voting system on MLB.com, the official website of...
" Executive of the Year.
Also in 2008, he was named "King of Baseball
King of Baseball
King of Baseball is a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.- Background :The title was first awarded in 1951...
", a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.
In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named him as number 7 on its list of the Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade (in all sports).
In December 2010
Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2011
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2011 proceeded according to rules most recently revised in July 2010. As in the past, the Baseball Writers Association of America voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently-retired players...
, Gillick was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
.
On July 24, 2011, Gillick was formally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Roberto Alomar
Roberto Alomar
Roberto "Robbie" Alomar Velázquez is a former Major League Baseball player , regarded by many as one of the best second basemen in MLB history. During his career he won more Gold Gloves than any other second baseman in history, and also won the second-most Silver Slugger Awards for a second...
and Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
.