In the midst of a sorely disappointing season, the last-place Minnesota Twins have fired general manager Terry Ryan.
The decision comes as some around the Twin Cities have suggested the organization needs a shake up from top to bottom.
Ryan, who served as the Twins general manager from 1994-2007, was the figurehead for an organization that found on-field success while existing in a small-market.
During that 14-year span as the team’s general manager, Ryan oversaw four trips to the postseason and six seasons of winning baseball.
The long-time front office executive resigned following the 2007 season, only to be brought back in the same capacity in November of 2011. Minnesota would go on to suffer through three consecutive losing seasons before surprising the masses en route to an 83-win campaign last year.
Unfortunately, things simply haven’t gone according to plan for the Twins this year. They enter Monday’s action with the second-worst record in the Majors at 25 games under .500.
“The decision to part ways with Terry was difficult, painful and not obvious,” Twins owner and CEO Jim Pohlad said, via the team’s official website. “We are extremely grateful and very thankful to Terry, his wife Karilyn and their family for being a part of the Minnesota Twins.”
As much as Ryan is respected around the baseball world, this is a move that needed to be made. Minnesota was treading water as an average team up until this season, at which point the organization took a major step back.
Ryan might be the first casualty, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see others thrown out the backdoor as the small-market organization looks to get back on track.