Pat Gillick did not exactly say he wanted the job running Canada's only Major League Baseball franchise.
But he didn't deny interest, either.
Of all the names being bandied about as the possible successor to Paul Godfrey as the president of the Toronto Blue Jays, Gillick's is possibly the most intriguing.
Still revered in Toronto, he transformed the Blue Jays from expansion wannabe to powerhouse, culminating in back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993.
“If something transpires after [the playoffs], that's fine,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday. “But at this point I've had no thought, I've had no discussion whatsoever about it.”
Gillick, 71, is general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the opener of their best-of-five National League Division Series yesterday over the Milwaukee Brewers in Philadelphia.
“I really can't comment because I'm basically working here with the Phillies and we're trying to get this thing done,” he said. “I don't even want to think about anything else; I'm trying to get through this series and the next series and the end of the season.”
Gillick intends to leave Philadelphia when his three-year contract expires at the end of the season, and it's been widely speculated that he would retire. “That's kind of a possibility,” Gillick said. “That's one possibility.”
Former Montreal Expos executive Claude Delorme, currently with the Florida Marlins in charge of stadium operations, is another name being circulated but the Blue Jays owner, Rogers Communications, may have decided to hire from within. Richard Wong, who oversees Rogers Centre finances, and Phil Lind, vice-chairman of Rogers Communications, could be candidates in that scenario.
Godfrey had no experience in baseball when Rogers appointed him to lead the team, and the Blue Jays never threatened to qualify for the playoffs during his tenure. So the question is whether Rogers is looking for an executive with bona fide baseball experience.
During Gillick's tenure, the Blue Jays made five playoff appearances and he drafted many of the team's biggest stars including Lloyd Moseby, Dave Stieb, Jimmy Key and Pat Hentgen.
Gord Ash, currently assistant GM with the Brewers, worked as Gillick's assistant and became GM when Gillick retired for the first time.
After the Blue Jays (1978-94), Gillick moved to the Baltimore Orioles (1996-98), Seattle Mariners (2000-03) and Phillies (2006-08). His teams have made 11 postseason appearances.
As the Baltimore GM, the Orioles improved by 17 games during Gillick's first year in 1996 to earn the American League wild-card playoff berth. Baltimore made the postseason in two of his three seasons.
In Seattle, the Mariners made the playoffs in two of the four years Gillick was in charge. And now, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia has advanced to the postseason in two of his three years there.
However, the Blue Jays might not be the only team interested in Gillick's services.
The Mariners are also reportedly interested in hiring Gillick to be team president for next season, and he and his wife have purchased a retirement home near the city.
“I have no doubt Pat would be able to handle the job,” said one official within the Blue Jays organization, who asked his name not be used.
Hiring a throwback from the Blue Jays' glory days such as Gillick would at least generate goodwill for a team that has not come close to making the postseason since he departed.
The Blue Jays followed that formula in June when Cito Gaston, who managed the team to its two World Series titles, was brought back as the manager when John Gibbons was fired.
“Why not?” said Pat Tabler, the Blue Jays television colour commentator about the prospect of Gillick's return. “Everywhere he goes he wins.
“Wouldn't it make sense for the team to be interested in bringing him back? They've already brought one guy back from the olden days.”
Rogers officials would not comment yesterday.
