Terry Ryan spent two terms as the General Manager of the Minnesota Twins, the first from the 1994 until he resigned 2007 and then again from November 7, 2011 until his unceremonious dismissal on July 18, 2016.
During his time in Minnesota, Ryan had some great successes in the form of picking Johan Santana in the 1999 Rule 5 Draft, acquiring Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser for A.J. Pierzynski, and drafting local product Joe Mauer first ovearll in 2011.
However, Ryan did also fail to win a ring in Minnesota and only led the Twins to the playoffs four times, losing in the ALDS three times and ALCS once.
With Ryan now out the door, Twins’ owner Jim Pohlad has begun to speak about what he’s looking for in a new General Manager. Let’s just say, Pohlad really wants to love the new GM.
“If I had to pick one requirement for somebody going forward, it’s someone that’s lovable. The only way you can be loved is if you’re lovable. We want someone that can ultimately be loved. Technically they have to have the skills and strength and so forth, and have to have the willingness to look an organization and make hard decisions, or come up with ways for improvement,” Pohlad told reporters.
Pohlad is however known for sometimes speaking his mind maybe too much. He has reportedly already told manager Paul Molitor he’ll be back next year, thus already undermining the new GM in a way.
In the past, Pohlad has also told the Star Tribune this season is a “total system failure;” the Twins are 33-59 overall, 21 games back of the Cleveland Indians for first in the American League Central. Minnesota is also just a game and a half better than 32-61 Atlanta for the worst record in baseball.
However, despite his statements in the past like calling his team a “total system failure” or admitting he already told Molitor his job is secure, the lovable line takes the cake. Especially considering just how “lovable” Ryan was by the Twins organization.
“When we had the all-staff meeting, you can see how loved Terry is by our organization,” Pohlad said before going into how he wants his new GM to be lovable.
“Maybe the light should have gone on earlier, but the light went on that we need to look at our organization, the way we do things,” Pohlad added. “I came to the conclusion that the best way to do that was a change in leadership.”
The Twins finished last year at 83-79, their first finish above .500 since the 2010 club went 94-68, but was swept by the Texas Rangers in the ALDS. Minnesota’s last two post season series victories are the 1987 and 1991 world Series titles.
