PAT GILLICK, USC ’58 Steps Down in Seattle By Jim Street Courtesy of MLB.com Photo Credit: Ben VanHouten
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ews that Pat Gillick had resigned as the Mariners general manager came as a surprise to a pair of younger colleagues who have helped get their teams into the playoffs this season. “Wow, I didn’t see that coming,” said Theo Epstein, the Red Sox first-year GM. “Pat has been one of the best GMs in the game for a long, long time and he built a remarkable Mariners team that never quite got to where they wanted to go.” Gillick stepped away from a job that he initially rejected, but then accepted several weeks later, helping to build a team that enjoyed great success in the regular season, but never made it to the World Series. The Mariners came close in 2000 and 2001, losing in the American League Championship Series to the Yankees in six games both years. During his four-year regime, the Mariners won more regular season games (393) than any team in the Major Leagues and Gillick was selected as the league’s Executive of the Year in 2001 when Seattle tied the MLB record for wins in a season with 116. “After much thought, I’ve decided to step away from my current role with the Mariners,” Gillick said in a statement. “I’ve had four chances at the brass ring
here and think maybe it’s time for someone else to take a shot at taking this team to a higher level.” “I’m glad he’s out of the division,” said Athletics GM Billy Beane. Gillick will remain as the GM until a successor is found and then become a consultant, signing a series of three, one-year contracts. “Pat is one of the most respected general managers to ever hold the position,” Beane said. “For as much success he’s had, and as long as he’s being doing this, I don’t blame him for wanting to take some time off and spend it with his family.” “We will begin a (GM) search immediately, which will include both internal and external candidates,” Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said. Benny Looper, the vice president of player personnel, is regarded as the leading in-house candidate. The Mariners hope to have the new GM on board by the end of October. “We thank Pat for the exceptional job he has done the past four years, and the professionalism he has brought to the Mariners. Finally, we are pleased he will still be connected with our organization,” Lincoln said. The Mariners have some difficult decisions looming. Eight players are eligible for
Pat Gillick and Mariner shortstop Mark McLemore at the batting cage. 4 ∆X Quarterly Fall/Winter 2003
free agency and at least one coach must be replaced. Hitting coach Lamar Johnson departed via mutual agreement. Center fielder Mike Cameron, one of the eight potential free agents, said he isn’t sure if the GM change affects his situation one way or another. “There were a lot of crazy things written about him not making the right moves,” he said. “He built a great tradition of a winner in Seattle, but the bottom line is we didn’t bring any titles.” “I have nothing but good things to say about him,” said second baseman Bret Boone, one of the free agents Gillick signed. “At this point of his life, he has done it so long, doing it full-time is hard to do. He’s a hands-on guy and in my mind, he is a top- flight GM.” According to Gillick, whoGillick’s win-loss ever moves into record in Seattle the GM office at Year Record Safeco Field 2000 91-71 will have plenty 2001 116-46 of talent at his 2002 93-69 disposal. “I believe we 2003 93-69 have a core of Total 393-255 players in place, especially pitchers, that will allow the Mariners to contend for the next several years, at least, and I am looking forward to remaining involved with the Seattle organization,” he said. The Mariners won 93 games for the second consecutive season, but also failed to reach the postseason for the second straight time — the only 90-win team in MLB to miss out in the playoffs. During his 23 years as a Major League general manager Gillick’s teams compiled an overall mark of 2010-1773, including a 393-255 mark in Seattle. But he came under criticism the past two seasons when he couldn’t pull off a “major” trade prior to the July 31 trading deadline. Even so, Gillick probably will be remembered most in Seattle for trading center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., to the Cincinnati Reds for center fielder Mike Cameron, starting pitcher Brett Tomko and minor league in-
