Ross Atkins met the press today in Toronto alongside president Mark Shapiro, giving fans a valuable first look at the man who is filling the role vacated by Alex Anthopoulos.
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The 42-year-old becomes the seventh GM in Jays’ history. He succeeded Paul Beeston, who retired at the end of October. “I will take that responsibility very seriously”.
Mark Shapiro has reportedly hired a former colleague of his during his time with the Cleveland Indians.
CHCH’s Natalie Marconi will have more on the announcement tonight on the Evening News at 6. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman had previously identified Atkins as one of two finalists for the gig. Atkins worked his way up through the organizational ranks to his current position.
The team says he will also serve as executive vice-president of baseball operations. Well, for starters, he pitched in the Indians minor league system from 1995 to 1999, then worked with the team’s pitching prospects in the Florida Instructional League.
Thole did not appear in the post-season for Toronto, which lost to the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship series.
Anthopoulos announced a few days after the team’s elimination that he had declined a contract offer to return as general manager.
Ross Aktins, Toronto’s new general manager, greets Indians’ catcher Roberto Perez in spring training before the 2015 season.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -The Indians have lost another executive to the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Players developed under his watch include Cody Allen, Lonnie Chisenhall, Kyle Crockett, Tyler Holt, T.J. House, Jason Kipnis, Roberto Perez, Jose Ramirez and Danny Salazar.
