Ed Wade
Encyclopedia
Ed Wade is the former General Manager
of the Houston Astros
.
in the Phillies public relations
department. In 1977, he was named public relations assistant for the Astros and was promoted to public relations director in 1979, replacing Kenneth "Flannel" Mung. In 1981, he left Houston to become the public relations director for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, and he remained with that club for five seasons.
In 1986, Wade returned to Houston to work as an associate for Tal Smith Enterprises, a firm that has provided consulting services to 26 of the 30 Major League Baseball
clubs. The most recognized functions have been in the preparation of arbitration cases, the financial appraisal of franchise, contract negotiations and other baseball-related matters.
Wade worked for the company until May 5, 1989, when he rejoined the Phillies as assistant to the general manager. In 1995, he was promoted to assistant general manager, and he served in that role until assuming the general manager duties for Philadelphia in 1998.
, the Phillies' long-time ace, to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for Omar Daal
, Vicente Padilla
, and Travis Lee
. He signed veterans Mike Lieberthal
and David Bell
to large contracts when they were approaching the end of their careers. He also included no-trade clauses in star players Bobby Abreu
, Jim Thome
, and Pat Burrell
's contracts.
During his tenure, the Phillies drafted power-hitting outfielder Pat Burrell
, starting pitcher Brett Myers
, All Star second baseman Chase Utley
, MVP first baseman Ryan Howard
and World Series MVP Cole Hamels
. He also hired manager Charlie Manuel
, who led the Phillies to their first world championship in nearly 30 years.
Wade hired two managers during his tenure. He inherited Terry Francona
when he was promoted, whom he fired after the 2000 season. Wade hired former Phillies shortstop
Larry Bowa
, who led the Phillies to their first winning season since winning the 1993 National League pennant
in 2001, falling just two games short of the postseason. Bowa was fired with two games remaining in the 2004 season.
Wade was fired by the Phillies after the 2005 season due to the team's inability to make the postseason despite several seasons of high expectations. In Wade's last three seasons with the Phillies, the team missed the playoffs by margins of 5.0, 6.0, and 1.0 games respectively. In total, the Phillies compiled a record of 643 wins and 652 losses over Wade's eight-year tenure, with a winning percentage of .497. Although the Phillies showed marked improvement from the first three years of Wade's tenure (217–269, .447) to its next five years (426–383, .527), the team never exceeded 90 wins in any given season, instead winning exactly 86 or 88 games in four of Wade's last five seasons.
, beating out 10 other candidates.
On November 8, 2007, Wade traded relief pitcher Brad Lidge
, along with reserve infielder Eric Bruntlett
, to the Phillies in exchange for second-year outfielder Michael Bourn
, middle reliever Geoff Geary
, and third base prospect Mike Costanzo. Lidge had been a highly successful closer
for the Astros in 2004 and 2005, but had fallen out of favor after giving up a dramatic home run to Albert Pujols
in the 2005 National League Championship Series
and struggling the following season. The Phillies and Lidge went on to win the World Series in 2008.
On December 12, 2007, Wade acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada
in exchange for Luke Scott, Matt Albers
, Costanzo, Dennis Sarfate
, and Troy Patton
. The trade was controversial, in part because Tejada was mentioned as a possible steroid user in the Mitchell Report
, which was released the day after the trade. The day after the Mitchell Report
, he traded Chad Qualls
, Chris Burke, and Juan Gutierrez
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for closer Jose Valverde
.
On June 25, 2008, Wade was engaged in a dispute with Astros reliever Shawn Chacon
. After a while, Chacon burst and grabbed Wade by the neck and threw him to the ground. The Astros suspended Chacon indefinitely. This event eventually led to Shawn Chacon being released. He has not played in Major League Baseball since.
In December of 2009, Wade and the Astros signed reliever Brandon Lyon
and acquired fireballer closer Matt Lindstrom from the Florida Marlins
.
On July 29th, 2010 Wade traded Roy Oswalt
to the Philadelphia Phillies for J.A. Happ and two minor league players, center fielder Anthony Gose, and shortstop Jonathan Villar. Gose was then traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Brett Wallace
.
On July 29th, 2011, Wade traded All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence
to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, and a Player to be named later who was Domingo Santana. On July 30, 2011, he traded Star center fielder Michael Bourn
to the Braves for pitchers Juan Abreu
and Brett Oberholtzer and center fielder Jordan Schafer
. The Astros ended the season with a record of 56–106, last in the majors.
On November 28, 2011, Wade was fired by new Astros owner Jim Crane
.
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 the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Early career in baseball
Wade started his baseball career in 1977 as an internIntern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
in the Phillies public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
department. In 1977, he was named public relations assistant for the Astros and was promoted to public relations director in 1979, replacing Kenneth "Flannel" Mung. In 1981, he left Houston to become the public relations director for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The 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...
, and he remained with that club for five seasons.
In 1986, Wade returned to Houston to work as an associate for Tal Smith Enterprises, a firm that has provided consulting services to 26 of the 30 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...
clubs. The most recognized functions have been in the preparation of arbitration cases, the financial appraisal of franchise, contract negotiations and other baseball-related matters.
Wade worked for the company until May 5, 1989, when he rejoined the Phillies as assistant to the general manager. In 1995, he was promoted to assistant general manager, and he served in that role until assuming the general manager duties for Philadelphia in 1998.
Work as the Phillies GM
Wade traded Curt SchillingCurt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
, the Phillies' long-time ace, to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for Omar Daal
Omar Daal
Omar Jesús Daal Cordero is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 11 seasons, from through . Daal played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Toronto Blue Jays , Arizona Diamondbacks , Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles...
, Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
, and Travis Lee
Travis Lee
Travis Lee is a former Major League Baseball first baseman.Lee graduated from Capital High School in Olympia, Washington in 1993, where he also played football. Being ambidextrous Lee played as a lefty in baseball and as a QB for the Capital High football team threw with his right...
. He signed veterans Mike Lieberthal
Mike Lieberthal
Michael Scott "Mike" Lieberthal , nicknamed Lieby, is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
and David Bell
David Bell (baseball)
David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
to large contracts when they were approaching the end of their careers. He also included no-trade clauses in star players Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
, Jim Thome
Jim Thome
James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
, and Pat Burrell
Pat Burrell
Patrick Brian "Pat" Burrell , nicknamed "Pat the Bat," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...
's contracts.
During his tenure, the Phillies drafted power-hitting outfielder Pat Burrell
Pat Burrell
Patrick Brian "Pat" Burrell , nicknamed "Pat the Bat," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...
, starting pitcher Brett Myers
Brett Myers
Brett Allen Myers is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently playing for the Houston Astros.-High school career:...
, All Star second baseman Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
, MVP first baseman Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
and World Series MVP Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels throws a four-seam fastball, a circle changeup, a curveball, and a cut fastball, which he added in 2010...
. He also hired manager Charlie Manuel
Charlie Manuel
Charles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
, who led the Phillies to their first world championship in nearly 30 years.
Wade hired two managers during his tenure. He inherited Terry Francona
Terry Francona
Terry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
when he was promoted, whom he fired after the 2000 season. Wade hired former Phillies shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Larry Bowa
Larry Bowa
Lawrence Robert Bowa is a former middle infielder, playing mainly as a shortstop, and manager in Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
, who led the Phillies to their first winning season since winning the 1993 National League pennant
1993 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 6, 1993 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaCurt Schilling began the series spectacularly by striking out the first five hitters he faced. The game would be back and forth and low-scoring. A wild-pitch by Atlanta starter Steve Avery allowed Philadelphia to a...
in 2001, falling just two games short of the postseason. Bowa was fired with two games remaining in the 2004 season.
Wade was fired by the Phillies after the 2005 season due to the team's inability to make the postseason despite several seasons of high expectations. In Wade's last three seasons with the Phillies, the team missed the playoffs by margins of 5.0, 6.0, and 1.0 games respectively. In total, the Phillies compiled a record of 643 wins and 652 losses over Wade's eight-year tenure, with a winning percentage of .497. Although the Phillies showed marked improvement from the first three years of Wade's tenure (217–269, .447) to its next five years (426–383, .527), the team never exceeded 90 wins in any given season, instead winning exactly 86 or 88 games in four of Wade's last five seasons.
Houston Astros
On September 20, 2007, Wade was named the General Manager of the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, beating out 10 other candidates.
On November 8, 2007, Wade traded relief pitcher Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
, along with reserve infielder Eric Bruntlett
Eric Bruntlett
Eric Kevin Bruntlett is a retired Major League Baseball utility player who last played in the New York Yankees organization. He was known for his defensive versatility; he usually played second base or shortstop, but has also played left field. Bruntlett played every position except for catcher...
, to the Phillies in exchange for second-year outfielder Michael Bourn
Michael Bourn
Michael Ray Bourn is a professional baseball outfielder with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. He serves as the Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter. He has also been a member of the United States national baseball team....
, middle reliever Geoff Geary
Geoff Geary
Geoffrey Michael Geary is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently a reliever for the York Revolution of the Atlantic League.-Biography:...
, and third base prospect Mike Costanzo. Lidge had been a highly successful closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
for the Astros in 2004 and 2005, but had fallen out of favor after giving up a dramatic home run to Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
in the 2005 National League Championship Series
2005 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriIn the series opener, the Cardinals won 5–3 behind a strong pitching performance by Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter and a two-run home run by Reggie Sanders in the first inning...
and struggling the following season. The Phillies and Lidge went on to win the World Series in 2008.
On December 12, 2007, Wade acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada
Miguel Tejada
Miguel Odalis Tejada was a Major League Baseball infielder who has played for the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Houston Astros, the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics...
in exchange for Luke Scott, Matt Albers
Matt Albers
Matthew James Albers is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school:In 2001, Albers graduated William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas...
, Costanzo, Dennis Sarfate
Dennis Sarfate
Dennis Scott Sarfate is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles organization.-High school career:...
, and Troy Patton
Troy Patton
Troy Jamieson Patton is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Patton attended Tomball High School in Tomball, Texas.-Baseball career:...
. The trade was controversial, in part because Tejada was mentioned as a possible steroid user in the Mitchell Report
Mitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
, which was released the day after the trade. The day after the Mitchell Report
Mitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
, he traded Chad Qualls
Chad Qualls
Chadford Michael Qualls is a relief pitcher.-Astros:Qualls was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. He began his career as a starting pitcher with the Michigan Battle Cats in...
, Chris Burke, and Juan Gutierrez
Juan Gutiérrez (baseball)
Juan Carlos Gutiérrez nicknamed the goot is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Baseball career:...
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for closer Jose Valverde
José Valverde
José Rafael Valverde is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is Papa Grande...
.
On June 25, 2008, Wade was engaged in a dispute with Astros reliever Shawn Chacon
Shawn Chacón
Shawn Anthony Chacón is a Major League pitcher, currently a free agent. He last played in the Majors for the Houston Astros...
. After a while, Chacon burst and grabbed Wade by the neck and threw him to the ground. The Astros suspended Chacon indefinitely. This event eventually led to Shawn Chacon being released. He has not played in Major League Baseball since.
In December of 2009, Wade and the Astros signed reliever Brandon Lyon
Brandon Lyon
Brandon James Lyon is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. He throws a 4-seam fastball, 12-6 curveball, slider, and changeup.-Toronto Blue Jays:...
and acquired fireballer closer Matt Lindstrom from the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
On July 29th, 2010 Wade traded Roy Oswalt
Roy Oswalt
Roy Edward Oswalt is an American Major League Baseball pitcher and Olympic gold medalist who is currently a free agent. Oswalt, a slender six-foot right-handed starting pitcher, is currently in his eleventh major league season...
to the Philadelphia Phillies for J.A. Happ and two minor league players, center fielder Anthony Gose, and shortstop Jonathan Villar. Gose was then traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Brett Wallace
Brett Wallace
Brett Alexander Wallace is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-High school:...
.
On July 29th, 2011, Wade traded All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence
Hunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, and a Player to be named later who was Domingo Santana. On July 30, 2011, he traded Star center fielder Michael Bourn
Michael Bourn
Michael Ray Bourn is a professional baseball outfielder with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. He serves as the Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter. He has also been a member of the United States national baseball team....
to the Braves for pitchers Juan Abreu
Juan Abreu
Juan Abreu is a right-handed baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros.-Baseball career:Abreu was signed as a minor league free agent by the Atlanta Braves before the 2010 season after being in the Kansas City Royals organization, reaching no higher than the AA level of their minor league...
and Brett Oberholtzer and center fielder Jordan Schafer
Jordan Schafer
Jordan James Schafer is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Houston Astros.-Baseball career:...
. The Astros ended the season with a record of 56–106, last in the majors.
On November 28, 2011, Wade was fired by new Astros owner Jim Crane
Jim Crane
James Robert "Jim" Crane is a businessman from Houston, Texas. Crane is chairman and chief executive of Crane Capital Group and he is also the owner and chairman of the MLB team Houston Astros -Early life and education:...
.