# Terry Ryan (baseball)

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American baseball executive

Baseball player

Terry Ryan Philadelphia Phillies Special Assistant To The General Manager Born: (1953-10-26) October 26, 1953 (age 72) Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S. Stats at Baseball Reference Career highlights and awards Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame

**Terry W. Ryan** (born October 26, 1953)[1] is an American [professional baseball](/source/Professional_baseball) executive and former [general manager](/source/General_manager_(baseball)) for the [Minnesota Twins](/source/Minnesota_Twins) of [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball). Ryan was known for using a low payroll and building up the [minor league](/source/Minor_league) system to put up contending teams. He resigned as general manager of the Twins on October 1, 2007, but returned to his former post on November 7, 2011, until being relieved of his duties on July 18, 2016.[2] Ryan was hired as a special assignment scout by the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) on November 30, 2016.[3]

## Early life and career

Ryan attended [George S. Parker High School](/source/George_S._Parker_High_School) in Janesville, and was drafted in the 35th round by the [Minnesota Twins](/source/Minnesota_Twins) in 1972.[4]

## Playing career

Ryan pitched briefly in the Twins organization in the mid-70s. His playing career started with promise: Ryan posted a 10–0 record and 1.70 ERA in 43 games at Class A Wisconsin Rapids in 1973. However, he subsequently battled injuries and was released by the Twins' AA team in June 1976.

## Administrative career

After graduating from the [University of Wisconsin–Madison](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Madison) in 1979, with a degree in [physical education](/source/Physical_education),[4] Ryan quickly earned respect as an evaluator of talent in baseball. In 1980, the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) hired him as a scout. He spent six seasons as a scout for the Mets before the Twins again showed interest in him. The team hired him as scouting director, a position he held for six years. He was then promoted to vice president and player personnel director under general manager [Andy MacPhail](/source/Andy_MacPhail). When MacPhail left for the [Chicago Cubs](/source/Chicago_Cubs) in 1994, Ryan was chosen to replace him.

Ryan's organization relies heavily on constant scouting and analysis of every player in major and minor league baseball. As a result, the team made some startling and at the time questioned acquisitions of players who turned out to be drastically underrated and who became star players in the Twins organization.

Ryan had the unenviable task of succeeding MacPhail, architect of the Twins' [1987](/source/1987_Minnesota_Twins) and [1991](/source/1991_Minnesota_Twins) world champion teams. Ryan would endure losing seasons until 2001, but his trades turned out to have the future in mind. In 2002, the Twins began a sequence of winning their division.

His early years as GM had several lowlights. For example, during the [1995 season](/source/1995_Minnesota_Twins), he was forced to unload several high-priced veterans when the team was not contending. The unloaded veterans included [Rick Aguilera](/source/Rick_Aguilera), [Scott Erickson](/source/Scott_Erickson), [Mark Guthrie](/source/Mark_Guthrie), and [Kevin Tapani](/source/Kevin_Tapani). To make matters worse, the prospects he received in these trades did not pan out. In particular, [Scott Klingenbeck](/source/Scott_Klingenbeck) and [Frank Rodriguez](/source/Frank_Rodriguez_(baseball)) were expected to be solid major league players. Instead, they were busts who did not last in the majors.

In [1996](/source/1996_Minnesota_Twins), Ryan botched the signing of first baseman [Travis Lee](/source/Travis_Lee) during the amateur draft. Lee exploited a never-before used clause that allows a draft pick to become a free agent if a team does not make an offer within 15 days of the draft. After the Twins failed to do this, Lee left for the [Arizona Diamondbacks](/source/Arizona_Diamondbacks), who gave him a $10 million signing bonus.

### Success as general manager

Things started looking up for Ryan only a couple of months later, when he traded veteran [Dave Hollins](/source/Dave_Hollins) to the [Seattle Mariners](/source/Seattle_Mariners) for a player to be named later. On September 30, the Mariners sent [David Ortiz](/source/David_Ortiz) to the Twins to complete the trade. Unfortunately for the Twins, Ortiz would not show MVP-caliber numbers until he left the Twins a few years later. Similarly, in August 1997, Ryan unloaded another aging veteran for a future All-Star. This time it was [Roberto Kelly](/source/Roberto_Kelly) for [Joe Mays](/source/Joe_Mays_(pitcher)). In 1998, he sent the disgruntled [Chuck Knoblauch](/source/Chuck_Knoblauch) to the [New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees) for four players, including two future All-Stars: shortstop [Cristian Guzman](/source/Cristian_Guzman) and pitcher [Eric Milton](/source/Eric_Milton). In 1999, he again unloaded [Rick Aguilera](/source/Rick_Aguilera) and received future starter [Kyle Lohse](/source/Kyle_Lohse). At the end of the year, he traded for future [Cy Young Award](/source/Cy_Young_Award) winner [Johan Santana](/source/Johan_Santana), who was picked up in the [Rule 5 Draft](/source/Rule_5_Draft) by the [Florida Marlins](/source/Florida_Marlins) from the [Houston Astros](/source/Houston_Astros). In July 2001, the Twins traded outfielder [Matt Lawton](/source/Matt_Lawton) to the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) for pitcher [Rick Reed](/source/Rick_Reed_(pitcher)).

### Postseason success

Ryan continued making strong trades that enable the team to remain competitive. For example, in July 2002, he traded little-used outfielder [Brian Buchanan](/source/Brian_Buchanan) (also acquired in the Knoblauch trade) to the [San Diego Padres](/source/San_Diego_Padres) for [Jason Bartlett](/source/Jason_Bartlett_(baseball)).[5] That year, the team made the postseason for the first time since the [1991 World Champion team](/source/1991_Minnesota_Twins) and defeated the heavily favored [Oakland Athletics](/source/Oakland_Athletics) in the [2002 American League Division Series](/source/2002_American_League_Division_Series). After the [2002 season](/source/2002_Minnesota_Twins), the Twins organization was named Organization of the Year by *[Baseball America](/source/Baseball_America)* and *SportsTicker*, while Ryan was named Executive of the Year by *The Sporting News*.[6]

In 2003, Ryan swapped outfielder [Bobby Kielty](/source/Bobby_Kielty) for accomplished veteran leadoff hitter [Shannon Stewart](/source/Shannon_Stewart_(baseball)). This move was credited[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] with jump-starting the team and enabling them to repeat as division champions. In November 2003, Ryan sent popular catcher [A. J. Pierzynski](/source/A._J._Pierzynski) to the San Francisco Giants, gaining closer [Joe Nathan](/source/Joe_Nathan), and starting pitchers [Francisco Liriano](/source/Francisco_Liriano) and [Boof Bonser](/source/Boof_Bonser). Another strong trade occurred a month later, when Ryan sent starter [Eric Milton](/source/Eric_Milton) to the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) for starter [Carlos Silva](/source/Carlos_Silva_(baseball)) and infielder [Nick Punto](/source/Nick_Punto). His most recent trades affecting the current team were in December 2005, when he received second baseman [Luis Castillo](/source/Luis_Castillo_(second_baseman)) from the [Florida Marlins](/source/Florida_Marlins) for two minor leaguers. He also traded pitcher [J.C. Romero](/source/J.C._Romero) to the [Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim](/source/Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim) for [Alexi Casilla](/source/Alexi_Casilla).

### Notable trades

- July 6, 1995: Traded closer [Rick Aguilera](/source/Rick_Aguilera) to the [Boston Red Sox](/source/Boston_Red_Sox) for pitcher [Frank Rodriguez](/source/Frank_Rodriguez_(baseball)) and a player to be named later. The Twins were able to re-sign Aguilera on December 11.

- July 7, 1995: Traded pitcher [Scott Erickson](/source/Scott_Erickson) to the [Baltimore Orioles](/source/Baltimore_Orioles) for pitcher [Scott Klingenbeck](/source/Scott_Klingenbeck) and a player to be named later.

- July 31, 1995: Traded pitchers [Kevin Tapani](/source/Kevin_Tapani) and [Mark Guthrie](/source/Mark_Guthrie) to the [Los Angeles Dodgers](/source/Los_Angeles_Dodgers) for infielder [Ron Coomer](/source/Ron_Coomer), pitchers [Greg Hansell](/source/Greg_Hansell) and [José Parra](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Parra_(baseball)), and a player to be named later. The Dodgers sent outfielder [Chris Latham](/source/Chris_Latham_(baseball)) to the Twins on October 30 to complete the trade.

- August 29, 1996: Traded [Dave Hollins](/source/Dave_Hollins) to the [Seattle Mariners](/source/Seattle_Mariners) for a player to be named later. On September 31, the Mariners sent [David Ortiz](/source/David_Ortiz) to the Twins to complete the trade.

- August 20, 1997: Traded [Roberto Kelly](/source/Roberto_Kelly) to the [Seattle Mariners](/source/Seattle_Mariners) for players to be named later. On October 9, the Mariners sent the Twins future all-star [Joe Mays](/source/Joe_Mays_(pitcher)) and a minor leaguer to complete the deal.

- February 16, 1998: Traded second baseman [Chuck Knoblauch](/source/Chuck_Knoblauch) to the [New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees) in exchange for outfielder [Brian Buchanan](/source/Brian_Buchanan), shortstop [Cristian Guzman](/source/Cristian_Guzman), pitcher [Eric Milton](/source/Eric_Milton), pitcher Danny Mota, and cash.

- May 21, 1999: Traded [Rick Aguilera](/source/Rick_Aguilera) and Scott Downs to the Chicago Cubs for pitchers [Kyle Lohse](/source/Kyle_Lohse) and [Jason Ryan](/source/Jason_Ryan_(baseball)).

- December 13, 1999: Under the [Rule 5 Draft](/source/Rule_5_Draft), the Twins sent minor leaguer Jared Camp and cash to the Florida Marlins in exchange for future Cy Young Award winner [Johan Santana](/source/Johan_Santana).

- September 9, 2000: Traded pitcher [Héctor Carrasco](/source/H%C3%A9ctor_Carrasco) to the [Boston Red Sox](/source/Boston_Red_Sox) for outfielder [Lew Ford](/source/Lew_Ford).

- July 30, 2001: Traded outfielder [Matt Lawton](/source/Matt_Lawton) to the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) for pitcher [Rick Reed](/source/Rick_Reed_(pitcher)).

- July 12, 2002: Traded [Brian Buchanan](/source/Brian_Buchanan) to the [San Diego Padres](/source/San_Diego_Padres) for shortstop [Jason Bartlett](/source/Jason_Bartlett_(baseball)).

- July 16, 2003: Traded [Bobby Kielty](/source/Bobby_Kielty) to the [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays) for [Shannon Stewart](/source/Shannon_Stewart_(baseball)).

- November 14, 2003: Traded catcher [A. J. Pierzynski](/source/A._J._Pierzynski) and cash to the [San Francisco Giants](/source/San_Francisco_Giants). Received pitchers [Joe Nathan](/source/Joe_Nathan), [Francisco Liriano](/source/Francisco_Liriano), and [Boof Bonser](/source/Boof_Bonser).

- December 3, 2003: Traded pitcher [Eric Milton](/source/Eric_Milton) to the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) for pitcher [Carlos Silva](/source/Carlos_Silva_(baseball)), infielder [Nick Punto](/source/Nick_Punto), and a player to be named later ([Bobby Korecky](/source/Bobby_Korecky)).

- December 2, 2005: Traded [Travis Bowyer](/source/Travis_Bowyer) and [Scott Tyler](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scott_Tyler_(baseball)&action=edit&redlink=1) to the [Florida Marlins](/source/Florida_Marlins) for second baseman [Luis Castillo](/source/Luis_Castillo_(second_baseman)).

- December 9, 2005: Traded [J.C. Romero](/source/J.C._Romero) to the [Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim](/source/Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim) for infielder [Alexi Casilla](/source/Alexi_Casilla).

- July 30, 2007: Traded second baseman [Luis Castillo](/source/Luis_Castillo_(second_baseman)) to the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) for minor league prospects [Drew Butera](/source/Drew_Butera) (catcher) and Dustin Martin (center fielder).

### Stepping down

On September 13, 2007, it was announced that Ryan would be stepping down as general manager for the Twins after 12 seasons.[7] He was replaced by assistant general manager [Bill Smith](/source/Bill_Smith_(baseball_executive)), but remained in the Twins organization as a senior adviser.[7]

### Return in November 2011

On November 7, 2011, Twins owner [Jim Pohlad](/source/Jim_Pohlad) fired Smith after a 99-loss season - the first time that the Twins had fired a general manager since relocating from [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.) Ryan, who had remained with the team in a consultant role since stepping down as GM after the [2007](/source/2007_in_baseball) season, returned to the job, officially on an interim basis. On October 6, 2012, Ryan announced that he had removed the "interim" from his title and would return as Minnesota's long-term general manager for the 2013 season.[8] On Monday, February 10, 2014, Ryan revealed that he had been diagnosed with and is being treated for carcinoma, and would miss spring training.[9]

### 2016 firing

Ryan was relieved of his general manager duties July 18, 2016. Assistant GM Rob Antony took over as interim general manager. In joining the Phillies as a scout in November 2016, Ryan was reunited with Andy MacPhail, the Phillies' president/baseball operations since October 2015.

## Honors and awards

After he retired as general manager in 2007, Play Ball! Minnesota—sponsored by the Minnesota Twins Community Fund—renamed its highest honor, the "Play Ball! Minnesota Award", as the "Terry Ryan Award".[10]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Executive Database: Terry Ryan"](http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/execdb/showperson.php?idx=RyanTe01&fname=Terry&lname=Ryan). [Baseball America](/source/Baseball_America). Retrieved 23 August 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Minnesota Twins fire general manager Terry Ryan"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/07/18/minnesota-twins-fire-general-manager-terry-ryan/87250676/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Gelb, Matt (30 November 2016). ["Phillies hire former Twins GM Terry Ryan as scout"](https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/sports/phillies/Phillies-hire-former-Twins-GM-Terry-Ryan-as-scout.html?amphtml=y#scso=uid_WD85DQAF_FUKg85Hsgh3Mg_9:0). *The Philadelphia Inquirer*. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NDN_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NDN_4-1) ["Twins' Ryan steps down as GM; Smith takes over"](http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/13/twins_ryan_steps_down_gm_smith_takes_over/?sports). *Naples Daily News*. 13 September 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110606082738/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/13/twins_ryan_steps_down_gm_smith_takes_over/?sports) from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Jason Bartlett"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bartlja01.shtml). *Baseball Reference*. July 12, 2002: Traded by the San Diego Padres to the Minnesota Twins for Brian Buchanan

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["TWINS TIMELINE"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311075014/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/history/timeline5.jsp). *[MLB.com](/source/MLB.com)*. Archived from [the original](http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/min/history/timeline5.jsp) on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yahoo-retire_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yahoo-retire_7-1) Campbell, Dave (13 September 2007). ["Twins GM Terry Ryan resigns after 13 seasons, stays on as adviser"](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-twins-ryan&prov=ap&type=lgns). *[Yahoo! Sports](/source/Yahoo!_Sports)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). Retrieved 14 September 2007.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Twins' Terry Ryan says he'll return as GM in 2013 without interim tag"](http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21708451/twins-terry-ryan-says-hell-return-gm-2013). *TwinCites*. Pioneer Press. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Terry Ryan optimistic about recovery"](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10432469/minnesota-twins-gm-terry-ryan-says-treatable-cancer). *ESPN.com*. Associated Press. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Terry Ryan Award"](https://www.mlb.com/twins/play-ball/events/terry-ryan-award). *Minnesota Twins*. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

## External links

- Career statistics from [Baseball Reference (Minors)](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=ryan--002ter)

Preceded by Andy MacPhail Bill Smith Minnesota Twins General Manager 1994–2007 2011–2016 Succeeded by Bill Smith Rob Anthony (interim)

v t e Members of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame Rick Aguilera Bob Allison Earl Battey Jerry Bell Bert Blyleven George Brophy Rod Carew Herb Carneal Bob Casey Michael Cuddyer Gary Gaetti Greg Gagne Ron Gardenhire Dan Gladden John Gordon Calvin Griffith Eddie Guardado Kent Hrbek Torii Hunter Jim Kaat Tom Kelly Harmon Killebrew Andy MacPhail Joe Mauer Justin Morneau Joe Nathan Tony Oliva Camilo Pascual Jim Perry Carl Pohlad Kirby Puckett Brad Radke Jim Rantz Terry Ryan Johan Santana Rick Stelmaszek César Tovar Zoilo Versalles Frank Viola

v t e Minnesota Twins general managers Washington Senators (1901–1960) Griffith Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Griffith Fox MacPhail Ryan Smith Ryan Antony Levine Zoll

v t e The Sporting News Executive of the Year Award 1936: Rickey 1937: Barrow 1938: Giles 1939: La. MacPhail 1940: Briggs 1941: Barrow 1942: Rickey 1943: Cl. Griffith 1944: DeWitt 1945: Wrigley 1946: Yawkey 1947: Rickey 1948: Veeck 1949: Carpenter 1950: Weiss 1951: Weiss 1952: Weiss 1953: Perini 1954: Stoneham 1955: O'Malley 1956: Paul 1957: Lane 1958: Brown 1959: Bavasi 1960: Weiss 1961: Topping 1962: Haney 1963: Devine 1964: Devine 1965: Ca. Griffith 1966: Le. MacPhail 1967: O'Connell 1968: Campbell 1969: Murphy 1970: Dalton 1971: Tallis 1972: Hemond 1973: Howsam 1974: Paul 1975: O'Connell 1976: Burke 1977: Veeck 1978: Richardson 1979: Peters 1980: Smith 1981: McHale 1982: Dalton 1983: Peters 1984: Green 1985: Schuerholz 1986: Cashen 1987: Rosen 1988: Claire 1989: Hemond 1990: Quinn 1991: A. MacPhail 1992: Duquette 1993: Thomas 1994: Hart 1995: Hart 1996: Melvin 1997: Bonifay 1998: Hunsicker 1999: Beane 2000: Jocketty 2001: Gillick 2002: Ryan 2003: Sabean 2004: Jocketty 2005: Shapiro 2006: Ryan 2007: Shapiro 2008: Friedman 2009: O'Dowd 2010: Jocketty 2011: Dombrowski / Melvin 2012: Beane 2013: Cherington 2014: Duquette 2015: Anthopoulos 2016: Epstein 2017: Antonetti 2018: Beane 2019: Neander 2020: Hahn 2021: Zaidi 2022: Antonetti 2023: Elias 2024: Arnold 2025: Arnold

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Terry Ryan (baseball)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Ryan_(baseball)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Ryan_(baseball)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.