View Full Version : Becoming a GM
Tony19
09-14-2008, 11:27 AM
I don't know where I should put this, so I threw it in here.
It is my dream to become an MLB GM like Dave Dombrowski, Theo Epstien, Billy Beane or Brian Cashman. I am in high school now, so what steps should I take in school or anything to put my self in a position to get this job or get to a position where I can work up to this job after college?
Jake Patterson
09-14-2008, 11:54 AM
I don't know where I should put this, so I threw it in here.
It is my dream to become an MLB GM like Dave Dombrowski, Theo Epstien, Billy Beane or Brian Cashman. I am in high school now, so what steps should I take in school or anything to put my self in a position to get this job or get to a position where I can work up to this job after college?
Wow Tony! There are 750 MLB players but only 30 of these guys, and many of them know someone who knows someone....
Here are my thoughts...
Get an MBA and do well (Guys like Theo are very smart people)
Develop a great interest and knowledge in the game, maybe start with your high school and college team somehow
Develop some business experience specializing in athletics
Gain experience as a GM in the Minors maybe starting with and Independent League team?
Network, network, network (You need to know someone)
Tony19
09-14-2008, 12:03 PM
Wow Tony! There are 750 MLB players but only 30 of these guys, and many of them know someone who knows someone....
Here are my thoughts...
Get an MBA and do well (Guys like Theo are very smart people)
Develop a great interest and knowledge in the game, maybe start with your high school and college team somehow
Develop some business experience specializing in athletics
Gain experience as a GM in the Minors maybe starting with and Independent League team?
Network, network, network (You need to know someone)
Well, I would obviously rather play, but if that isn't possible then GM is the next best thing. I can get an MBA and already have a massive intrest in the game. How could I get an independent league team job? Are there many openings, and how many teams are there?
Jake Patterson
09-14-2008, 12:16 PM
Well, I would obviously rather play, but if that isn't possible then GM is the next best thing. I can get an MBA and already have a massive intrest in the game. How could I get an independent league team job? Are there many openings, and how many teams are there?
The first thing you need to do is get through HS with good grades and get accepted in a good MBA program. The Indy leagues are all over the country. Many who wish to pursue this line of work find intern jobs. I had a former player who is now a Radio sports announcer. He started in HS at a local radio station as an intern. He then became a DJ at the college station. He also had great grades and played college ball.
The point I was trying to make above is it is exponentially more difficult to get a GM's job than it is to become a MLB player, especially if you do not know anyone. I would suggest concentrating on gaining the qualifications necessary.
PM me the State you live in and I can help you locate an Indy team.
So you know generally you are looking at about 8 years (college, 2ish years of work experience and 2 years for mba) before you are set education wise. Master programs generally want you to have work experience after college before they will let you in and thats assuming you do fine on the test. You can get internships and jobs with minor league/independant teams and even major league teams depending on what positions are open. There are people at the colleges that can help you find openings.
Tony19
09-14-2008, 03:15 PM
So you know generally you are looking at about 8 years (college, 2ish years of work experience and 2 years for mba) before you are set education wise. Master programs generally want you to have work experience after college before they will let you in and thats assuming you do fine on the test. You can get internships and jobs with minor league/independant teams and even major league teams depending on what positions are open. There are people at the colleges that can help you find openings.
Ok, thanks. Tigers fan helping a Tigers fan. Do all the GMs have extensive education like that?
Jake Patterson
09-14-2008, 04:02 PM
Here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_Epstein
TG Coach
09-14-2008, 04:09 PM
Chances are if you aren't in the game and aspire to become a MLB GM you will start at the bottom. Keep in mind many people already in the game, like a Dombrowski, Flanagan, (former players) etc.. will get a free pass right by you.
The thing to do after getting your education is get a job in the front office of a minor league franchise. People who move up often start in ticket sales, promotions or public relations. Sometimes these are all one department in a minor league front office. Once in you want to work your way towards scouting in the MLB organization. That gets you on the player personnel side of the house.
Do a Yahoo search on "minor league jobs." There are websites dedicated to job placement. If you're in high school or college you might look into a summer intership with a nearby minor league franchise. You will go years making very little money. I'm talking about a lot less than your friends. Minor league baseball has very low paying jobs. You're going to have to really want it for a long time.
Nothing is impossible. A friend went from volunteer bullpen coach of a AA team in his hometown to eventually managing at the AA level. He wasn't a big time college or pro player. He played D3 and understands the game.
TG Coach
09-14-2008, 04:13 PM
Here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_Epstein
Wouldn't you say Epstein is the exception rather than the rule. There are only two or three others like him.
Jake Patterson
09-14-2008, 04:58 PM
Wouldn't you say Epstein is the exception rather than the rule. There are only two or three others like him.
My sense is that he's the exception WRT age and education, but without knowing the qualifications of the other GM's it would be hard to say one way or the other.
Ok, thanks. Tigers fan helping a Tigers fan. Do all the GMs have extensive education like that?
I would assume there are some at all levels that don't ... but a professional team is like a million dollar corporation so it would help to have that type of education background.
Jake Patterson
09-15-2008, 01:07 PM
... but a professional team is like a million dollar corporation so it would help to have that type of education background. MULTI- million!!
TG Coach
09-15-2008, 02:39 PM
Ok, thanks. Tigers fan helping a Tigers fan. Do all the GMs have extensive education like that?
A majority are baseball lifers. They been in the game since they were drafted even if they never made the majors.
MULTI- million!!
I wonder how much money the Yankee's are actually worth based on players and staff salary lol.
Jake Patterson
09-15-2008, 04:55 PM
I wonder how much money the Yankee's are actually worth based on players and staff salary lol.
one billion $$
I want exact figures! lol
phantom
09-15-2008, 06:46 PM
I want exact figures! lol
as Imelda Marcos once said, "If you know exactly how much money you have, you don't have very much."
:hide:
Tony19
09-15-2008, 07:55 PM
I got an email back from a team today and they asked me for my resume. What can a high school soph. put on a resume?
TG Coach
09-15-2008, 08:09 PM
I got an email back from a team today and they asked me for my resume. What can a high school soph. put on a resume?
They're looking for experience that relates to working for a minor league front office. You obviously don't have the experience. How did you present yourself that they would ask for a resume? You probably received the standard, stock response letter clerks send out when people inquire about jobs. Your next letter will say "I'm sorry. You're qualifications do not meet our present needs. However, we will keep your resume on file (it's where it goes to die)."
You need to see if you can get a summer internship even if it's non paying.
Jake Patterson
09-15-2008, 08:32 PM
What can a high school soph. put on a resume? Not a whole bunch... I would start with a managing job at your HS. I am certain your AD is looking for help.
I would assume that even minor league teams want high school graduates or higher even for low level positions ... (not concessions and stuff but office jobs).
For me Steve Phillips is the most annoying guy on ESPN. Knowing that he was the GM of the Mets makes me believe, that you don't need any specific education to do the job. Being an arrogant moron who keeps talking BS 24/7 is fully sufficient. What you need is a ton of luck though, so you might be better off playing the lottery.
MoKan
09-16-2008, 11:19 AM
Here's a link to the Sports Management program at Wichita State. I nearly went through the grad program some 20 years ago. It will be the basic info that should be similar at most other colleges
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=coedsportadmin&p=/UNDERGRADUATEPROGRAM/ugprogram
Tony19
09-16-2008, 02:32 PM
Not a whole bunch... I would start with a managing job at your HS. I am certain your AD is looking for help.
I can't manage my high school team when I play for it!
Jake Patterson
09-16-2008, 02:41 PM
I can't manage my high school team when I play for it! Speak with your AD I am certain you can do something else to give you some experience.
Tony19
09-16-2008, 03:24 PM
Here's a link to the Sports Management program at Wichita State. I nearly went through the grad program some 20 years ago. It will be the basic info that should be similar at most other colleges
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=coedsportadmin&p=/UNDERGRADUATEPROGRAM/ugprogram
I can take this and play for the Shockers. :highfive:
BallCoach06
09-16-2008, 05:26 PM
Here would be my suggestions:
Get a Law Degree (Business Law would be good)
MBA in Sports Management
Get Internship in a minor league front office
Network, Network, Network - This is probably the most important. Get some business cards and distribute them. The business side is much like the playing side, you never know who you will meet and you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Attend the MLB Winter Meetings and try to do networking there. All the GM's are there as well as many other baseball front office big wigs.
TG Coach
09-17-2008, 09:43 AM
I can take this and play for the Shockers. :highfive:
Wichita State is a top program. Are you a top prospect?
TG Coach
09-17-2008, 09:47 AM
You should write to a couple of highly regarded GM's like Epstein and Cashman. They didn't come through the playing route. Ask them how they did it and how you should get started. Most people, if they have time enjoy telling people interested in their craft how they succeeded.
Tony19
09-17-2008, 07:22 PM
Wichita State is a top program. Are you a top prospect?
I wish. We'll see what happens this season though.
I'll send stuff to Cashman and Epstien this week...
TG Coach
09-17-2008, 07:36 PM
Have you ever attended a major D1 game? I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm trying to be real. High school players and their parents often don't understand how challenging major D1 ball is.
I have a 16U kid who thinks a major program is interested because he received an invitation to their camp after filling out a prospect form online. I'm thinking of registering my dog as a prospect so he can receive a camp invitation.
riredsox
09-17-2008, 07:50 PM
Are there any colleges/universities that are recomended more than others for this?
Jake Patterson
09-17-2008, 08:00 PM
Are there any colleges/universities that are recomended more than others for this?I am certain there are.... It might take a little research. I know colleges like Coastal Carolina specialize in Golf.
LAball
09-17-2008, 10:03 PM
networking = golf
There was a story a while back... I not exact on it, but is was like you cant be in the LPGA if you dont speak English. Reason you cant network
GetYourBestSwing
09-18-2008, 01:19 AM
I think its awesome to have a dream and share it with people. Why not.
You could also make a living being a General Manager of a summer league team.
Your first year of college you could get an internship with a team to see the everyday aspects of being a General Manager. It certainly is different as a GM in the Northwoods League for example as opposed to what Theo Epstein does..... but it will give you some idea and valuable experience.