Tony Reagins
Encyclopedia
Tony Demetrius Reagins was an executive in Major League Baseball
for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
. Reagins had previously served as general manager
of the Angels from 2007 until his 2011 resignation. He was the fourth African-American General Manager of a Major League Baseball
club in history (preceded by Bill Lucas
of the Atlanta Braves
, Bob Watson of the Houston Astros
and New York Yankees
, and Kenny Williams of the Chicago White Sox
). He was promoted on October 16, 2007, having previously held the position of director of player development since 2002
.
fraternity in 1988, while attending California State University, Fullerton
. In 1991, he eaned a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from CSUF. He had previously received an AA degree in Business Administration from the College of the Desert
. Reagins joined the Angels as an intern in the club's marketing department in 1991, and moved permanently to the team's baseball staff in 1998 as manager of baseball operations. He is a member of the Buck O'Neil
Scout Association and an active supporter of Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy.
Reagins began his career at the bottom rung of the Angels organization as an intern in Baseball Operations in 1992. He then held an internship in marketing/advertising sales in 1993 before being named Marketing Assistant in 1994. He moved to Sponsorship Services Representative from 1996 until returning to Baseball Operations in April 1998. He served six seasons as the Angels' Director of Player Development, a position he held until becoming General Manager of the Angels. As Director of Player Development, Reagins was responsible for overseeing the Angel farm system, with seven affiliates that include a Dominican Summer League
club and developmental academy in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. The Angels' farm system posted winning records in four of the six seasons (2003-05-06-07) and was named "Minor League Organization of the Year" in 2003
by The Sporting News
. It produced players such as Howie Kendrick
, Reggie Willits
, Robb Quinlan
, Kendry Morales
, Erick Aybar
, Jeff Mathis
, Mike Napoli
, Jered Weaver
and Joe Saunders
– all of whom made significant impacts on the 2007 American League West Division champion team. Minor League News named the Angels "2007 Farm System of the Year."
As general manager of the Angels, Reagins was quick to make immediate changes to the Angels' roster. A little more than a month after taking over for Bill Stoneman
as G.M., Reagins traded Gold Glove shortstop
Orlando Cabrera
to the Chicago White Sox
for starting pitcher
Jon Garland
. Two days later, Reagins signed free agent
outfielder
Torii Hunter
to a 5-year, $90 million contract. At the 2008 trading deadline, Reagins dealt first baseman Casey Kotchman
to the Atlanta Braves for Mark Teixeira
. Reagins' tenure with the Angels has been in contrast to that of Stoneman, whose time as general manager involved relatively few major trades or other transactions.
After the 2009 season, in which the Angels were the AL West Division Champions, the Angels gave Reagins a contract extension. Although no details of the contract length was divulged, Reagins described it as 'long-term', adding "there's a comfort level from [owner] Arte Moreno and myself as far as the length of the contract goes. . . . I am honored and I appreciate deeply the confidence that Arte has shown in not only myself, but the job that we're doing as an organization."
After the 2011 season, the first in which the Angels had not made it to the playoffs for consecutive years since 2000-2001, Reagins resigned as GM. Reagins will remain as special assistant to team chairman Dennis Kuhl.
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...
for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. Reagins had previously served as 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 the Angels from 2007 until his 2011 resignation. He was the fourth African-American General Manager of a 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...
club in history (preceded by Bill Lucas
Bill Lucas
William DeVaughn Lucas was the first African-American general manager in Major League Baseball as front-office boss of the Atlanta Braves from mid-September 1976 until his death at age 43 in May 1979...
of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Bob Watson of the Houston Astros
Houston 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...
and 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...
, and Kenny Williams of 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...
). He was promoted on October 16, 2007, having previously held the position of director of player development since 2002
2002 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Anaheim Angels*Postseason - October 1 to October 27Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
.
Biography
Reagins pledged the Theta Upsilon chapter of Phi Beta SigmaPhi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I...
fraternity in 1988, while attending California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
. In 1991, he eaned a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from CSUF. He had previously received an AA degree in Business Administration from the College of the Desert
College of the Desert
College of the Desert is a public two-year community college located in Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, California...
. Reagins joined the Angels as an intern in the club's marketing department in 1991, and moved permanently to the team's baseball staff in 1998 as manager of baseball operations. He is a member of the Buck O'Neil
Buck O'Neil
John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil was a first baseman and manager in the Negro American League, mostly with the Kansas City Monarchs. After his playing days, he worked as a scout, and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball...
Scout Association and an active supporter of Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy.
Reagins began his career at the bottom rung of the Angels organization as an intern in Baseball Operations in 1992. He then held an internship in marketing/advertising sales in 1993 before being named Marketing Assistant in 1994. He moved to Sponsorship Services Representative from 1996 until returning to Baseball Operations in April 1998. He served six seasons as the Angels' Director of Player Development, a position he held until becoming General Manager of the Angels. As Director of Player Development, Reagins was responsible for overseeing the Angel farm system, with seven affiliates that include a Dominican Summer League
Dominican Summer League
The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20...
club and developmental academy in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. The Angels' farm system posted winning records in four of the six seasons (2003-05-06-07) and was named "Minor League Organization of the Year" in 2003
2003 in baseball
-Headline event of the year:*The Florida Marlins become World Series champions, holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team, 4 games to 2.-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Florida Marlins...
by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. It produced players such as Howie Kendrick
Howie Kendrick
Howard "Howie" Joseph Kendrick III is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Early life:...
, Reggie Willits
Reggie Willits
Reggie Gene Willits is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.-Early life:...
, Robb Quinlan
Robb Quinlan
Robb William Quinlan is a former Major League Baseball utility player. He plays first base, third base, corner outfield, catcher and designated hitter....
, Kendry Morales
Kendry Morales
Kendrys Morales Rodriguez is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Cuban career:...
, Erick Aybar
Erick Aybar
Erick Johan Aybar is a Major League Baseball shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Dominican Republic:Aybar has also previously played in the Dominican Republic...
, Jeff Mathis
Jeff Mathis
Jeffrey Stephen Mathis is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and made his major league debut on August 12, 2005...
, Mike Napoli
Mike Napoli
Michael Anthony Napoli is a Major League Baseball catcher/first baseman with the Texas Rangers.-Early career:Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida...
, Jered Weaver
Jered Weaver
Jered David Weaver , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
and Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders
Joseph Francis Saunders is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-College and minor league career:...
– all of whom made significant impacts on the 2007 American League West Division champion team. Minor League News named the Angels "2007 Farm System of the Year."
As general manager of the Angels, Reagins was quick to make immediate changes to the Angels' roster. A little more than a month after taking over for Bill Stoneman
Bill Stoneman
William Hambly Stoneman III is a consultant for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. From 1999 to October 15, 2007, he served as the general manager of the Angels...
as G.M., Reagins traded Gold Glove shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Luis Cabrera, nicknamed "O-Cab" and "The OC", is a Colombian-American baseball infielder.He won a World Series championship in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. He has played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins,...
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 starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
. Two days later, Reagins signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter
Torii Kedar Hunter is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hunter has taken away many home runs throughout his 13-year major league career by "climbing the fence" in the outfield. He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.Hunter resides...
to a 5-year, $90 million contract. At the 2008 trading deadline, Reagins dealt first baseman Casey Kotchman
Casey Kotchman
Casey John Kotchman is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.-High school:He was on the 2001 national champion team of Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
to the Atlanta Braves for Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
. Reagins' tenure with the Angels has been in contrast to that of Stoneman, whose time as general manager involved relatively few major trades or other transactions.
After the 2009 season, in which the Angels were the AL West Division Champions, the Angels gave Reagins a contract extension. Although no details of the contract length was divulged, Reagins described it as 'long-term', adding "there's a comfort level from [owner] Arte Moreno and myself as far as the length of the contract goes. . . . I am honored and I appreciate deeply the confidence that Arte has shown in not only myself, but the job that we're doing as an organization."
After the 2011 season, the first in which the Angels had not made it to the playoffs for consecutive years since 2000-2001, Reagins resigned as GM. Reagins will remain as special assistant to team chairman Dennis Kuhl.