Bill Smith's New Job

[Seth Stohs]

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/smith-joins-minor-league-baseball-staff/c-227616042/t-185364810

 

Former long-time Twins executive Bill Smith has a new job. Today, minor league baseball announced that he is now Assistant to the President and CEO of minor league baseball, Pat O'Conner. 

 

 

Bill Smith Joins Minor League Baseball Staff

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Minor League Baseball today announced that longtime Major League Baseball executive Bill Smith has joined its staff as Assistant to the President & CEO, Pat O’Conner.

 

Smith, who spent the last 31 years in the Minnesota Twins organization, will focus on facilities, scheduling and Minor League Baseball’s international leagues, and will work closely with Vice President of Baseball and Business Operations, Tim Brunswick on various projects.

 

“I could not be happier than to have Bill Smith join what is already a solid staff,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner. “His wealth of experience in all aspects of Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball will be helpful as we continue to grow our operations and improve the teams' ability to serve our fans and partners at Major League Baseball. Bill is respected throughout the industry and his abilities are unquestioned.”

 

“Joining Minor League Baseball is a great honor, and I look forward to this new chapter in my baseball career, and, in particular, to contributing to the continued success of this terrific organization,” said Smith. “The bonds between big league clubs and their affiliates, and between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball have never been stronger, and the leagues and their facilities have improved dramatically over recent decades. We will continue to enhance these vital ties and to expand the business relationships that make the game better for players, coaches, fans and our MLB partners.”

 

Smith became the fifth General Manager in Twins history on September 13, 2007, and under his leadership, the club won the American League Central Division in 2009 and 2010 and lost in a one game tiebreaker to decide the division winner in 2008.

 

Smith played a significant role in shaping the design, construction and successful 2010 opening of Target Field and was the Twins’ liaison during the construction of their spring training home in Fort Myers, Florida, from 1989-1991.

Before being named general manager in 2007, Smith served the previous 13 seasons as Vice President, Assistant General Manager, where he shared responsibilities for negotiating contracts, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Major League department and the Twins’ academies in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Smith served on Minor League Baseball’s Board of Trustees and served on a committee appointed by then-Commissioner Bud Selig to examine Major League Baseball’s operations in the Dominican Republic.

 

Smith was one of the first participants in Major League Baseball’s Executive Development Program in 1980 and served as General Manager of the Appleton Foxes, the Chicago White Sox’ Class-A affiliate for three seasons (1983-85). He left the Foxes to join the Twins organization in March of 1986 as Assistant Director of Minor Leagues and Scouting.

[gunnarthor]

Good for him. This sounds like something he should be good at and he always struck me as a nice person.  

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, congrats...  I'm guessing that means he knew he was probably one of the odd guys out on the new FO here.  Good to know he lands on his feet.

 

I'm guessing we will see more of this kind of thing happening over the next few months.

[Mike Sixel]

That sounds like a great job for him. Good luck!

[Thrylos]

Good luck to him

[Brock Beauchamp]

Based on what we know of Smith's skillset, this sounds like a good fit.

[ashbury]

He definitely seems like a valuable nuts-and-bolts kind of guy, which knowledge he can now apply all around minor-leaguedom.

[biggentleben]

I'll be doing an interview with Smith on Wednesday about his new position, so I'm looking forward to discussing his views on the future of the minor league game.

 

I do plan on avoiding asking about his Twins GM moves...

[drjim]

I'll be doing an interview with Smith on Wednesday about his new position, so I'm looking forward to discussing his views on the future of the minor league game.

 

I do plan on avoiding asking about his Twins GM moves...

Maybe sneak in a question about the 2009 international class. Very positive memories.

[biggentleben]

 

Maybe sneak in a question about the 2009 international class. Very positive memories.

 

I do intend to talk with him about international players, though.

[biggentleben]

First off, great interview. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Bill, and only 20-25 minutes of that was actually the interview. Here's the article from the interview:

 

https://calltothepen.com/2017/05/04/interview-former-minnesota-twins-gm-bill-smith/

[Sarah]

Good interview, thanks for sharing!

[gunnarthor]

Nice article