Ed Wade
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Ed Wade (b. January 31, 1956) is the current General Manager of the Major League Baseball team, the Houston Astros.
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[edit] Early career in baseball
Wade began his baseball career in 1977 as an intern 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. 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.
[edit] Work as the Phillies GM
Wade was often criticized for his personnel moves. He traded Curt Schilling, the Phillies' long-time ace, to the Arizona Diamondbacks. 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.
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 1993 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 a narrow loss in the 2005 Wild Card race.
[edit] After Phillies
Wade had been working in the San Diego Padres front office. Wade has also been seen scouting for the Padres.
[edit] Houston Astros
On September 20, 2007, Wade was named the General Manager of the Houston Astros, beating out 10 other candidates.[1]
On December 12, 2007, Wade traded five players, including prospect Matt Albers, to Baltimore for shortstop Miguel Tejada.
[edit] References
| Current Major League Baseball General Managers | ||
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
| EAST DIVISION
Flanagan (Baltimore) | CENTRAL DIVISION
Williams (Chi. White Sox) | WEST DIVISION
Reagins (L.A. Angels) |
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | ||
| EAST DIVISION
Wren (Atlanta) | CENTRAL DIVISION
Hendry (Chi. Cubs) 1 interim general manager | WEST DIVISION
Byrnes (Arizona) |
