Report: Amaro chosen as Phillies new GM
Sports Network | November 01, 2008
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly selected Ruben Amaro, Jr. to replace Pat Gillick as the team's general manager.
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Amaro will officially be named to the post on Monday. The 43-year-old beat out Mike Arbuckle for the job in what was viewed as a two-man race.
Amaro has served as an assistant general manager under Pat Gillick and previously worked under former GM Ed Wade, who is currently with the Houston Astros in the same capacity. He has been involved in contract negotiations and was the executive who introduced Brad Lidge to the media last offseason.
A Philadelphia native, Amaro played for the Angels, Phillies and Indians during an eight-year pro career.
The Phillies recently won their first World Series title last Wednesday since 1980, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays four games to one. Gillick announced prior to the 2008 season that he would be stepping down to spend more time with his family.
Gillick led the Toronto Blue Jays to two World Series titles and the Baltimore Orioles to two ALCS appearances before coming to the Phillies prior to the 2006 season. In his three seasons with Philadelphia, the team went 267-219 and won two NL East titles.
The report also states that Arbuckle, who has been with the Phillies since the 1993 season in various roles, will be leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. Arbuckle is often credited with helping build the current team, having presided over the drafts that netted players such as Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell and Brett Myers.
