Pat Gillick
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Pat Gillick (born August 22, 1937) is the current general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Born in Chico, California, Gillick graduated from USC 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 Baltimore Orioles minor league system, venturing as high as Triple-A.
Gillick retired from playing and began a front-office career in 1963 when he became the assistant farm director with the Houston Astros. 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. 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 and helped build one of the strongest teams in the American League during his tenure there (2000 through 2003). During this time, the Mariners had the best record in baseball (393-255), including a phenomenal 2001 campaign which saw them post a 116-46 record, tying the Major League Baseball record for wins in a season. They twice made the post-season, losing in the American League Championship Series in 2000 and 2001. Gillick was, however, criticized in his latter years for not making deals at the trade deadline which might have improved the club into a World Series contender. Consistent with his track record, the Mariners collapsed after his departure. He also has been given responsiblity for the decline of the Mariners' farm system.
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, the Gillick faced criticism from members of the media and womens 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". [1]
Gillick maintains his permanent residence in Toronto with his wife, Doris.
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| Preceded by: Peter Bavasi |
Toronto Blue Jays General Manager 1978–1994 |
Succeeded by: Gord Ash |
| Preceded by: Roland Hemond |
Baltimore Orioles General Manager 1995–1998 |
Succeeded by: Frank Wren |
| Preceded by: Woody Woodward |
Seattle Mariners General Manager 1999–2003 |
Succeeded by: Bill Bavasi |
| Preceded by: Ed Wade |
Philadelphia Phillies General Manager 2005– |
Succeeded by: Incumbent |
