Walt Jocketty
Encyclopedia
Walt Jocketty is the General Manager
of the Cincinnati Reds
. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota
, he attended the University of Minnesota
where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was previously the General Manager
of the St. Louis Cardinals
from October 14, 1994
until October 3, 2007
.
organization beginning in March 1980, when he was hired by owner Charlie Finley as Director of Minor League Operations and Scouting. It was in this capacity that Jocketty took a lead role in overhauling the A's minor league system, and was also was instrumental in founding the Arizona Rookie League and the Dominican Summer League
. Less than five years into his time with Oakland, Jocketty was promoted to Director of Baseball Administration, a post he held the remainder of his time in Oakland. During the 1994 season Jocketty served the Colorado Rockies
for a brief stint as their Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel.
sold the team following the 1995 season, the new ownership chose to retain Jocketty. He was instrumental in bringing new manager Tony La Russa
, whom he had worked with in Oakland, to St. Louis.
During his time as Cardinal GM, the Cardinals compiled seven National League Central Division championships (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006), two National League
Championships (2004 and 2006), and one World Series
Championship (2006). The Cardinals had seven straight winning seasons under Jocketty, including 100+ win seasons in 2004 and 2005. Jocketty has been named the Executive of the Year in MLB three times, in 2000, 2004, & 2010.
Jocketty was fired by the Cardinals organization on October 3, 2007. Team owner Bill DeWitt
cited divisiveness in the baseball operations front office as the reason for Jocketty's dismissal.
Jocketty role was to advise and assist the team in their baseball operations which includes the front office, personnel, scouting, minor and international operations and training and medical services.
He was named the next General Manager of the Reds after Wayne Krivsky
was fired April 23, 2008.
After the 2010 season Jocketty was named Sporting News Executive Of Year. Jocketty has also won the award in 2000 & 2004 as Cardinals GM.
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 Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, he attended the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was previously the 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 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...
from October 14, 1994
1994 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 1994 season was the team's 113th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 103rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 53-61 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League Central division...
until October 3, 2007
2007 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 2007 season was the team's 126th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 116th season in the National League. The season started with the team trying to defend their 2006 World Series championship. During the offseason, the Cardinals were faced with the challenge of handling...
.
Oakland and Colorado
In addition to his long tenure with the Cardinals, Jocketty also spent 14 years in the OaklandOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization beginning in March 1980, when he was hired by owner Charlie Finley as Director of Minor League Operations and Scouting. It was in this capacity that Jocketty took a lead role in overhauling the A's minor league system, and was also was instrumental in founding the Arizona Rookie League and the Dominican Summer League
Dominican Summer League
The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20...
. Less than five years into his time with Oakland, Jocketty was promoted to Director of Baseball Administration, a post he held the remainder of his time in Oakland. During the 1994 season Jocketty served the 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...
for a brief stint as their Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel.
The Cardinal years
Walt Jocketty was hired as General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals on October 14, 1994. When Anheuser-BuschAnheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. , is an American brewing company. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and 18 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of America's largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the...
sold the team following the 1995 season, the new ownership chose to retain Jocketty. He was instrumental in bringing new manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, whom he had worked with in Oakland, to St. Louis.
During his time as Cardinal GM, the Cardinals compiled seven National League Central Division championships (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006), two National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Championships (2004 and 2006), and one World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
Championship (2006). The Cardinals had seven straight winning seasons under Jocketty, including 100+ win seasons in 2004 and 2005. Jocketty has been named the Executive of the Year in MLB three times, in 2000, 2004, & 2010.
Jocketty was fired by the Cardinals organization on October 3, 2007. Team owner Bill DeWitt
William DeWitt, Jr.
William O. DeWitt, Jr. is an American businessman and currently the managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals. He served on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board during the George W...
cited divisiveness in the baseball operations front office as the reason for Jocketty's dismissal.
Cincinnati
Walt Jocketty was hired as a Special Adviser to the Cincinnati Reds on January 11, 2008.Jocketty role was to advise and assist the team in their baseball operations which includes the front office, personnel, scouting, minor and international operations and training and medical services.
He was named the next General Manager of the Reds after Wayne Krivsky
Wayne Krivsky
Wayne Krivsky , is the Special Assistant to the GM of Major League Baseball's New York Mets franchise.-Biography:Wayne Krivsky attended Duke University, where he played baseball for three years...
was fired April 23, 2008.
After the 2010 season Jocketty was named Sporting News Executive Of Year. Jocketty has also won the award in 2000 & 2004 as Cardinals GM.
External links
- Baseball America page
- 2004 interview
- Cardinals trade history
- 2002 news conference about the sudden death of Cardinal pitcher Darryl KileDarryl KileDarryl Andrew Kile was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1991-2002 for three different teams in his career. In his first season for the Cardinals, he won 20 games in 2000 as the team reached the postseason for the first time in four years. They advanced to the...
- 2008 http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/SPT04/304230046 Report naming Jocketty GM of Reds