Joe McDonald (baseball executive)
Encyclopedia
Joe McDonald is a former front office executive in American
Major League Baseball
.
He played prominent roles in the New York Mets
organization in his career there between 1965 and 1980. McDonald was the Mets' Administrative Secretary, Minor League Clubs, where he dealt with minor league operations in 1965
and 1966
. In 1967
, he was the Mets' Director of Scouting. In 1968
, he moved up and became the Mets' Director of Minor League Operations, and he stayed in that position until 1971. In 1972, he served as the Mets' Director of Player Development Operations. In 1973, he again became the Mets' Director of Minor League Operations, and he stayed in that position until October, 1974. In October, 1974, he was promoted to general manager
. He was their general manager until 1978. In 1979, he became the Mets' Vice President and also worked as an assistant general manager. He stayed in that position until he was fired on February 21, 1980.
In 1981, he became the St. Louis Cardinals
Executive Assistant, where he served as an assistant general manager to Whitey Herzog
, the Cards' GM and field manager
. McDonald and Herzog had worked closely together in the Mets' farm system from 1966-72. He was assistant GM in St. Louis until April 10, 1982, when he became the Cardinals' general manager, thus enabling Herzog to focus on his on-field responsibilities. McDonald resigned from that post on January 3, 1985.
In 1987, he became the Detroit Tigers
' Director of Player Development (he also served as vice president). He stayed in that position until 1991, when he became a Senior Vice President and also a general manager. He stayed in that position until 1992. He later scouted for the California Angels
, Colorado Rockies
and in 2005
he became a scout at the professional level for the Boston Red Sox
, based in Lakeland, Florida
, the position he held during the season.
His son, Jody McDonald
, is a sports talk radio host who has worked in Philadelphia and New York City.
McDonald has earned 4 World Series rings: with the Mets, with the Cardinals, and and with the Red Sox.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
.
He played prominent roles in the New York Mets
New York Mets
The 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...
organization in his career there between 1965 and 1980. McDonald was the Mets' Administrative Secretary, Minor League Clubs, where he dealt with minor league operations in 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
and 1966
1966 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Frank Robinson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 12 at Busch Stadium: National League, 2–1 ; Brooks Robinson, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Ohio State...
. In 1967
1967 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox ; Bob Gibson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at Anaheim Stadium: National League, 2-1 ; Tony Pérez, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, he was the Mets' Director of Scouting. In 1968
1968 in baseball
-The Year of the Pitcher:In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance, caused by enforcing a larger strike zone beginning in 1963...
, he moved up and became the Mets' Director of Minor League Operations, and he stayed in that position until 1971. In 1972, he served as the Mets' Director of Player Development Operations. In 1973, he again became the Mets' Director of Minor League Operations, and he stayed in that position until October, 1974. In October, 1974, he was promoted to general manager
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:...
. He was their general manager until 1978. In 1979, he became the Mets' Vice President and also worked as an assistant general manager. He stayed in that position until he was fired on February 21, 1980.
In 1981, he became the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
Executive Assistant, where he served as an assistant general manager to Whitey Herzog
Whitey Herzog
Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including...
, the Cards' GM and field manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. McDonald and Herzog had worked closely together in the Mets' farm system from 1966-72. He was assistant GM in St. Louis until April 10, 1982, when he became the Cardinals' general manager, thus enabling Herzog to focus on his on-field responsibilities. McDonald resigned from that post on January 3, 1985.
In 1987, he became the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' Director of Player Development (he also served as vice president). He stayed in that position until 1991, when he became a Senior Vice President and also a general manager. He stayed in that position until 1992. He later scouted for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
and in 2005
2005 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the 2005 World Series.*2005 also marked the inaugural season of the Washington Nationals, who relocated from Montreal and were formerly known as the Expos....
he became a scout at the professional level for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, based in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
, the position he held during the season.
His son, Jody McDonald
Jody McDonald
Jody McDonald, a.k.a. Jody Mac, is a sports talk show host on 610 WIP /94.1WIP-FM and 1050 ESPN Radio NY.Jody began his career with WFAN in 1987 when it launched.He would join WIP sports radio in 1990, where he manned the midday airwaves through 1999....
, is a sports talk radio host who has worked in Philadelphia and New York City.
McDonald has earned 4 World Series rings: with the Mets, with the Cardinals, and and with the Red Sox.