Pat Gillick
Pat Gillick
Lawrence Patrick David Gillickis an American professional baseball executive, currently serving as the president of the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. He previously served as the general manager of four MLB teams: the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Phillies. He guided the Blue Jays to World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, and later with the Phillies in 2008...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth22 August 1937
CountryUnited States of America
I've always had a love for the game. I have a passion for the game. I love challenges. I was very satisfied with what I was doing. Some other club, I probably wouldn't have gone back for, not just for the job. I thought this was a good situation and good opportunity.
Maybe I'm putting my neck on the line, but I think his is the best situation I've come into. I think (fired GM) Ed Wade certainly left behind a strong foundation.
Usually, when you come into a situation like this,
We just felt this situation fit in the direction we wanted to go. We wanted to solidify the back end of the bullpen and we think Rhodes helps us do that.
We had a good situation with Howard and Thome here,
It's always tough to move somebody who's a professional hitter. He's hit 400 homers in the big leagues. But it's a good situation for both clubs.
They have some talent but it's going to be a very difficult situation for them. They'll be frustrated because of the losing in the short term. But in a couple of years they'll be OK. I'll tell you what -- I wish I had some of the players they have over there.
These are two key acquisitions. It's going to make them even more of a force to be dealt with in the East.
People seemed more interested in their martinis than me,
Bobby and John kind of came from the same background,
The team we have, we're going to be competitive. Are we going to win the division? No. We have to improve.
The talent in the American League is better than the National League. I had the opportunity with Seattle last year to see some National League games, and thought it overall wasn't the same.
The thing you learn over the years is to delegate a lot more. Not that you're not involved, but you delegate. If you have confidence in people around you, then you feel free to delegate.
We're disappointed. We thought we had a competitive offer.