Peter Bavasi
Encyclopedia
Peter Bavasi was the farm director for the US baseball team
the San Diego Padres
from 1969 to 1972. He then replaced his father, Buzzie Bavasi
as General Manager
of the Padres from 1973 to 1976. Peter later went on to become the first GM of the Toronto Blue Jays
in 1977. He was president of the Blue Jays from 1978 to 1981. He was also president of the Cleveland Indians
in 1986. His brother Bill
was the General Manager of the Seattle Mariners
until June 16, 2008.
manager. While in Albuquerque, Bavasi would meet Roy Hartsfield
, the man who would be his first manager in Toronto.
expansion team. His father Buzzie was president of the team. In , Peter became the Vice-President and General Manager of the Padres. One of the future managers of the Toronto Blue Jays, Cito Gaston
, played for the Padres under Bavasi's tenure.
, whose previous experience was with the Baltimore Orioles
, for the position of general manager of the expansion Toronto Blue Jays
. Although some of the club's board members preferred Bavasi because of his interest in the marketing aspect of baseball, the original choice was Cashen. After Cashen withdrew, Bavasi won the job. He was appoointed on June 18, 1976.
Bavasi was considered the orchestrator of Blue Jay Mania. Bavasi's strategy from the beginning was to seek public involvement in Blue Jays development. A name the team contest was held in which Blue Jays was the winning selection. When it came to the development of a team logo, Bavasi sought a symbol as easily recognizable as Kroc's golden arches. The logo featured a Blue Jay, superimposed on a baseball with a red maple leaf stuck in its ear.
A key issue for Bavasi was hiring a manager. Rumours had spread that the Jays were interested in several candidates, including: Joe Altobelli
, Billy DeMars
, Preston Gomez
, Elston Howard
, and Warren Spahn
.
The Blue Jays were one of the worst teams in the Majors in the first half of the season, as the Blue Jays had a record of 16 wins and 42 losses, a percentage of .276. Although the Blue Jays had future stars Jesse Barfield
, George Bell, and Lloyd Moseby
in the lineup, the team continued to struggle.
The result was one of the more controversial times in franchise history. Bavasi went to see the team in Anaheim against the California Angels. Bavasi's father, Buzzie Bavasi
was the president of the Angels, and his team had gotten off to a lacklustre start. Buzzie wanted to fire Angels manager Jim Fregosi
, and Peter Bavasi had the idea to fire his manager, Bobby Mattick
. Both thought it would be big news if father and son fired their manager on the same night. One of the Blue Jays executives advised the Jays Vice-Chairman of the Board, Peter Hardy. After a brief conversation, Hardy made it clear to Peter Bavasi that Mattick would not be fired in this way. On November 22, 1981, Hardy forced Bavasi to resign from the Blue Jays., with the resignation announced to the public on November 24, 1981.
He also directed the international sports practice at Hill & Knowlton, the world's largest public relations firm. He was also president of ESPN SportsTicker, the leading supplier of instant sports news and information. Peter has also been a strategic advisor to cities seeking Major League Baseball teams, including the successful franchise pursuits in St. Petersburg, Florida (which would result in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and, most recently, Washington, DC (which would lead to the Montreal Expos becoming the Washington Nationals. Peter, and his brother Bill, the former General Manager of the Seattle Mariners were co-managing partners of the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox
, a Marysville, California-based collegiate summer league baseball club.
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...
the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
from 1969 to 1972. He then replaced his father, Buzzie Bavasi
Buzzie Bavasi
Emil Joseph "Buzzie" Bavasi was an American executive in Major League Baseball who played a major role in the operation of three franchises from the late 1940s through the mid-1980s....
as 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:...
of the Padres from 1973 to 1976. Peter later went on to become the first GM of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 1977. He was president of the Blue Jays from 1978 to 1981. He was also president of 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...
in 1986. His brother Bill
Bill Bavasi
William J. Bavasi, born December 27, 1957 in Scarsdale, New York, is a former general manager and vice president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners, and currently works as a Special Assistant to the GM for the Cincinnati Reds, under Reds GM Walt Jocketty...
was the General Manager of the 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...
until June 16, 2008.
Los Angeles Dodgers
As the son of Buzzie Bavasi, Peter began his baseball apprenticeship under Branch Rickey, Larry MacPhail and Walter O'Malley. Bavasi graduated from St. Mary’s College in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. His first job in baseball was as business manager of the Dodgers farm team in Albuquerque. In , he was named General Manager of Santa Barbara in the California League. In , Bavasi would be back in Albuquerque as the Albuquerque DukesAlbuquerque Dukes
The Albuquerque Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.-History:The first Dukes team was formed in 1915 as part of the Class-D Rio Grande Association. The team finished in third place with a 32-25 record. Frank Huelman was the league leader in home runs,...
manager. While in Albuquerque, Bavasi would meet Roy Hartsfield
Roy Hartsfield
Roy Thomas Hartsfield was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball; his MLB playing and managing careers each lasted three years. Hartsfield played his entire major-league career with the Boston Braves from 1950 to 1952. He was then traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers for outfielder Andy...
, the man who would be his first manager in Toronto.
San Diego Padres
In , Bavasi was named director of minor league operations for the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
expansion team. His father Buzzie was president of the team. In , Peter became the Vice-President and General Manager of the Padres. One of the future managers of the Toronto Blue Jays, Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
, played for the Padres under Bavasi's tenure.
Toronto Blue Jays
Bavasi competed with Frank CashenFrank Cashen
John Francis Cashen is a former Major League Baseball general manager. He is widely considered to be the architect of the World Champion 1986 New York Mets and was also an executive while the Baltimore Orioles won the 1966 World Series and 1970 World Series.-Early life:Cashen was born in...
, whose previous experience was with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, for the position of general manager of the expansion Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. Although some of the club's board members preferred Bavasi because of his interest in the marketing aspect of baseball, the original choice was Cashen. After Cashen withdrew, Bavasi won the job. He was appoointed on June 18, 1976.
Bavasi was considered the orchestrator of Blue Jay Mania. Bavasi's strategy from the beginning was to seek public involvement in Blue Jays development. A name the team contest was held in which Blue Jays was the winning selection. When it came to the development of a team logo, Bavasi sought a symbol as easily recognizable as Kroc's golden arches. The logo featured a Blue Jay, superimposed on a baseball with a red maple leaf stuck in its ear.
A key issue for Bavasi was hiring a manager. Rumours had spread that the Jays were interested in several candidates, including: Joe Altobelli
Joe Altobelli
Joseph Salvatore Altobelli is an American former player, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. In , he succeeded Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager of the Baltimore Orioles and led the team to their sixth American League pennant and their third World Series championship.- Personal life...
, Billy DeMars
Billy DeMars
William Lester DeMars is a retired American shortstop and coach in Major League Baseball. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 5'10" tall and weighed 160 pounds during his playing career....
, Preston Gomez
Preston Gómez
Preston Gómez was a Cuban-born infielder, manager, coach and front-office official in Major League Baseball best known for managing three major league clubs: the San Diego Padres , Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs . He was born Pedro Gómez Martinez in Preston, Cuba, and was given his nickname in U.S...
, Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
, and Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
.
The Blue Jays were one of the worst teams in the Majors in the first half of the season, as the Blue Jays had a record of 16 wins and 42 losses, a percentage of .276. Although the Blue Jays had future stars Jesse Barfield
Jesse Barfield
Jesse Lee Barfield is a former Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed. He lived in Tenafly, a suburb of New York City.Barfield was well known for his powerful, accurate throwing arm...
, George Bell, and Lloyd Moseby
Lloyd Moseby
Lloyd Anthony Moseby was a Major League Baseball player. A center fielder, and good all-around athlete, Moseby's nickname Shaker was said to stem from his ability to get away from or "shake" players who attempted to defend him on the basketball court.Born in Portland, Arkansas, Moseby graduated...
in the lineup, the team continued to struggle.
The result was one of the more controversial times in franchise history. Bavasi went to see the team in Anaheim against the California Angels. Bavasi's father, Buzzie Bavasi
Buzzie Bavasi
Emil Joseph "Buzzie" Bavasi was an American executive in Major League Baseball who played a major role in the operation of three franchises from the late 1940s through the mid-1980s....
was the president of the Angels, and his team had gotten off to a lacklustre start. Buzzie wanted to fire Angels manager Jim Fregosi
Jim Fregosi
James Louis Fregosi is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played from 1961–1978 for four different teams, primarily the Los Angeles and California Angels. In that franchise's first eleven years of play, he became its first star as the team's...
, and Peter Bavasi had the idea to fire his manager, Bobby Mattick
Bobby Mattick
Robert James Mattick was a shortstop, manager and scout in Major League Baseball, most notably in the Toronto Blue Jays organization....
. Both thought it would be big news if father and son fired their manager on the same night. One of the Blue Jays executives advised the Jays Vice-Chairman of the Board, Peter Hardy. After a brief conversation, Hardy made it clear to Peter Bavasi that Mattick would not be fired in this way. On November 22, 1981, Hardy forced Bavasi to resign from the Blue Jays., with the resignation announced to the public on November 24, 1981.
Cleveland Indians
Bavasi had joined the Cleveland Indians as its president in November 1984. As president of the Cleveland Indians, he served on Major League Baseball's Executive Council. During the season, the team had an 84-78 record, its best since , and attendance of 1.47 million, its highest since .Life after Major League Baseball
Bavasi resigned before the season began, to take over as president and chief executive officer of Telerate Sports.He also directed the international sports practice at Hill & Knowlton, the world's largest public relations firm. He was also president of ESPN SportsTicker, the leading supplier of instant sports news and information. Peter has also been a strategic advisor to cities seeking Major League Baseball teams, including the successful franchise pursuits in St. Petersburg, Florida (which would result in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and, most recently, Washington, DC (which would lead to the Montreal Expos becoming the Washington Nationals. Peter, and his brother Bill, the former General Manager of the Seattle Mariners were co-managing partners of the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox
Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox
The Marysville Gold Sox is a summer collegiate wood-bat club based in Marysville, California, in the United States. The team is host of the Horizon Air Summer Series and plays its home games at Appeal-Democrat Park, formerly known as Bryant Field, adjacent to Ellis Lake, in Marysville...
, a Marysville, California-based collegiate summer league baseball club.