By Michael Haas
Terry Ryan shocked fans, players, employees and media members by announcing that he was stepping down as the Twins General Manager yesterday. It was exactly 13 years ago that Ryan was named GM; and in those 13 years, Ryan was one of the most respected and highly regarded people in baseball. He didn't have a book written about his system, but The Twins Way of Doing Things, especially during the years '02 to '06, was a model that many organizations hoped to emulate. Ryan wasn't without fault, but he, more than anyone, put Twins baseball back on the map. Let's take a look at some of TR's moves before we meet the new guy.
December 5, 1996: Signed Terry Steinbach as a free agent.
August 20th, 1997: Traded Roberto Kelly to the Seattle Mariners for Joe Mays
December 6th, 1997: Signed Paul Molitor as a free agent.
February 6, 1998: Twins send Chuck Knoblauch to the New York Yankees for Brian Buchanan, Cristian Guzman, Eric Milton, Danny Mota, and cash.
July 12, 2002: Brian Buchanan traded to the San Diego Padres for Jason Bartlett
October 14, 2002: Casey Blake released
December 16, 2002: David Ortiz released
July 16, 2003: Traded Bobby Kielty to the Toronto Blue Jays for Shannon Stewert
November 14, 2003: Twins send AJ Pierzynski to the San Fransisco Giants for Fransisco Liriano, Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser and cash.
December 3, 2003: Twins send Eric Milton to the Philadelphia Phillies for Carlos Silva, Nick Punto, Bobby Korecky.
December 9, 2005: Twins trade J.C. Romero to the Anaheim Angels for Alexi (space cadet one) Casilla.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Goodbye TR, Hello BS
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3 comments:
This situation is completely depressing and shows just how far this years Twins program has fallen from the Gold Medal organization of the past decade. Listening to Torii and Johan talk about how unhappy they have become with the Twins management over the past half year is like listening to someone run their nails down a chalkboard.
Ryan bailing now makes it clear that if the present course remains the next few years (or worse) could be dark ones in Twins history. Something has to change and management needs to step up to avoid such a disaster and it starts with making decent offers to the teams key players this offseason. I know the Twins cant afford to resign everyone while paying them what the big market teams will be able too but they need to atleast be respectful about their offers and let the players know they are important to the organization.
Either way I dont like whats happened this season and I really hope Im wrong about where all this could lead if things dont change.
The phrase "David Ortiz released" will haunt Terry Ryan. For me, that decision almost overshadows all the good things TR did. I will also remember, however, that for the most part TR was about as blunt and open with the fans as a GM can be. (Even the weasle Chad Hartman acknowledged that yesterday).
The worst part for me is that we can no longer refer to the GM by his initials. BS just doesnt sound the same as TR. Also, Bill Smith has to be the most boring name in the world, I say we call him Will Smith. Or better yet, the Fresh Prince of Minnesota.
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