SEATTLE – Mariners general manager Pat Gillick is leaving the job after four seasons.
Gillick will remain in his position until a successor is found, then become a consultant for the team. Seattle went 93-69 this year, but finished three games behind Oakland in the AL West and missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
“After much thought I’ve decided to step away from my current role with the Mariners,” Gillick said Tuesday in a statement. “I’ve had four chances at the brass ring here and think maybe it’s time for someone else to take a shot at taking this team to a higher level.
“I believe we have a core of players in place, especially pitchers, that will allow the Mariners to contend for the next several years, at least, and I am looking forward to remaining involved with the Seattle organization,” he said.
During Gillick’s four years as general manager, the Mariners won more games (393) than any other team in the majors and twice reached the AL championship series.
Seattle tied the major league record with 116 wins in 2001, but lost in the ALCS to the New York Yankees. The Mariners also lost to the Yankees in the 2000 ALCS.
The Mariners won 93 games in 2002 and missed the playoffs.
“We wanted Pat to stay on board as our general manager, but we respect his decision to step back and serve as a consultant,” Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said in a statement.
“We will begin a search immediately, which will include both internal and external candidates. We thank Pat for the exceptional job he has done the past four years, and the professionalism he has brought to the Mariners. Finally, we are pleased he will still be connected with our organization.”
Gillick, 66, started his career as a baseball executive in 1963 with the Houston Astros and spent 10 years working his way up through the team’s front office.
Gillick joined the New York Yankees in 1974 before moving to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1976 where he was responsible for all baseball-related activities and helped guide Toronto to World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.
He moved to Baltimore in 1996 and the Orioles reached the playoffs in his first two years as general manager, winning the AL East in 1997.
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