Monday, November 7, 2011

Duquette spurned by Municipal League, Catches on with O's

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Dan Duquette signed a three-year contract Sunday to become the Baltimore Orioles' president of baseball operations.

A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press of the move on condition of anonymity because the Orioles haven't announced the hiring.  This is a major win for Duquette, who has applied to become a general manager in the Municipal League during the past two years.  After being passed over this season for rookie GM's Taylor Perreault and Brandon Nagle, most thought Duquette would never get another opportunity.

The 53-year-old Duquette, who interviewed with the Orioles over the weekend, was farm director of the Montreal Expos from 1987-1991 and their general manager from 1991-94. He then served as general manager of the Boston Red Sox from 1994-2002. He has not worked in a major league front office since leaving the Red Sox.
Duquette takes over for Andy MacPhail, who stepped down last month after four-plus seasons. Duquette will attempt to turn around a franchise saddled with 14 consecutive losing seasons.

Although Duquette has not worked in a major league front office since 2002, he has a history of success. The Expos appeared playoff bound in 1994 until a baseball strike ended the season. In Boston, he laid the groundwork for the team's world championship in 2004.
He is the cousin of Jim Duquette, who was vice president of baseball operations with the Orioles in 2005 and 2006.
Duquette was the second candidate to be interviewed more than once. The other, Tony LaCava of the Toronto Blue Jays, turned down the Orioles' offer.

Four others interviewed for the job: Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock. Dodgers assistant GM DeJon Watson, Jerry Dipoto - who ultimately took the same post with the Los Angeles Angels - and Orioles director of player development John Stockstill.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/11/06/baltimore.orioles.dan.duquette.ap/index.html#ixzz1d2ma4FTX

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