Jack Zduriencik
Encyclopedia
John A. “Jack” Zduriencik is the General Manager
of Major League Baseball
's Seattle Mariners
.
farm system. From 1973 to 1974, he spent time playing for both the Gulf Coast White Sox and the Appleton Foxes.
Following his playing career, Jack spent several years as a coach for both baseball and football. His coaching tour included stops at Austin Peay State University
(1975–77), Clairton High School (PA, 1977–80), and Tarpon Springs High School (FL, 1980–82).
Zduriencik returned to professional baseball in 1983. Successive roles involving scouting and player development comprised most of the next two-plus decades of his experience, as he spent time in the positions of:
Zduriencik was so successful in Milwaukee that many observers felt that he deserved a large part of the credit for the Brewers' eventual return to playoff contention in 2008. Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin
praised Zduriencik's efforts when he was quoted as saying:
"No doubt about it, he deserves almost all the credit for the young players we have. The players he has drafted are making an impact at the big league level."
In recognition of his success with the Brewers, Baseball America
made Zduriencik the first non-GM to receive their Major League Executive of the Year Award in 2007.
In October 2008, following a dismal season and the firing of GM Bill Bavasi, the Seattle Mariners announced the hiring of Zduriencik as the franchise's new General Manager. Many critics hailed this as the correct move for an organization that had become the first team to ever lose 100 games while shouldering a player payroll of more than $100 million.
At an October 2008 press conference following his hiring, Zduriencik got right to the point in introducing his philosophy going forward in Seattle:
“I'd love to have guys with good makeup and good character, committed to the city and the ballclub. But, when all is said and done, talent wins.”
One of Zduriencik's first moves was hiring Don Wakamatsu
, the first Asian-American manager in MLB history. Next, during the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings
in Las Vegas, Nevada
, Zduriencik made a remarkable three-team, 12-player trade that sent star closer J. J. Putz to the New York Mets as well as prospect second baseman Luis Valbuena
to the Cleveland Indians
but netted outfielders Franklin Gutierrez
and Endy Chávez
and first baseman Mike Carp
, a prospect in the Mets' organization. During the beginning of spring training Zdurienck signed Mariners fan favorite Ken Griffey Jr. to a one-year deal.
, followed by a master's degree in physical education at Austin Peay State University
.
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
Career
Jack Zduriencik began his career in professional baseball as a second baseman in the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
farm system. From 1973 to 1974, he spent time playing for both the Gulf Coast White Sox and the Appleton Foxes.
Following his playing career, Jack spent several years as a coach for both baseball and football. His coaching tour included stops at Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools .-History:...
(1975–77), Clairton High School (PA, 1977–80), and Tarpon Springs High School (FL, 1980–82).
Zduriencik returned to professional baseball in 1983. Successive roles involving scouting and player development comprised most of the next two-plus decades of his experience, as he spent time in the positions of:
- Area Scout, 1983 to 1989, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
- National Crosschecker, 1990 and 1994 to 1995, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
- Director of Scouting, 1991 to 1993, Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
- Director of Minor League Operations, 1995 to 1998, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
- Special Assistant to the General Manager, 1998, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
- Director of International Operations, 1998 to 1999, Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
- Director of Scouting, 1999 to 2006, Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
- Special Assistant to the General Manager, 2006 to 2008, Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
- Director of Amateur Scouting, 2006 to 2008. Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
- Special Assistant to the GM for Player Personnel, 2008, Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Zduriencik was so successful in Milwaukee that many observers felt that he deserved a large part of the credit for the Brewers' eventual return to playoff contention in 2008. Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin
Doug Melvin
Douglas Robert Melvin is a Canadian front office executive in Major League Baseball who currently serves as the general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers of the National League...
praised Zduriencik's efforts when he was quoted as saying:
"No doubt about it, he deserves almost all the credit for the young players we have. The players he has drafted are making an impact at the big league level."
In recognition of his success with the Brewers, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
made Zduriencik the first non-GM to receive their Major League Executive of the Year Award in 2007.
In October 2008, following a dismal season and the firing of GM Bill Bavasi, the Seattle Mariners announced the hiring of Zduriencik as the franchise's new General Manager. Many critics hailed this as the correct move for an organization that had become the first team to ever lose 100 games while shouldering a player payroll of more than $100 million.
At an October 2008 press conference following his hiring, Zduriencik got right to the point in introducing his philosophy going forward in Seattle:
“I'd love to have guys with good makeup and good character, committed to the city and the ballclub. But, when all is said and done, talent wins.”
One of Zduriencik's first moves was hiring Don Wakamatsu
Don Wakamatsu
Wilbur Donald "Don" Wakamatsu is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. He was the manager of the Seattle Mariners for the season, as well as the majority of the season...
, the first Asian-American manager in MLB history. Next, during the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings
Winter meetings
The Baseball Winter Meetings are an annual event, held each December, attended by representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball organizations, more than 160 minor league baseball teams, various league offices, companies associated with baseball and guests from international baseball-playing...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, Zduriencik made a remarkable three-team, 12-player trade that sent star closer J. J. Putz to the New York Mets as well as prospect second baseman Luis Valbuena
Luis Valbuena
Luis Adan Valbuena is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Career:Valbuena began his professional career in the Seattle Mariners organization in 2005...
to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
but netted outfielders Franklin Gutierrez
Franklin Gutiérrez
Franklin Rafael Gutiérrez , nicknamed "Guti" & "Death To Flying Things", is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Seattle Mariners...
and Endy Chávez
Endy Chávez
Endy de Jesus Chávez is a Major League Baseball outfielder.Chávez bats and throws left-handed and is considered to have good fielding skills, speed, and the ability to hit to all parts of the field...
and first baseman Mike Carp
Mike Carp
Christopher Michael Carp is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.-Professional career:...
, a prospect in the Mets' organization. During the beginning of spring training Zdurienck signed Mariners fan favorite Ken Griffey Jr. to a one-year deal.
Education
Zduriencik earned a bachelor's degree in education at California University of PennsylvaniaCalifornia University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres...
, followed by a master's degree in physical education at Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools .-History:...
.