Becoming a GM?

[oriole^]

Bingo.

Learn how to network. Then network some more.

This is good advice for any profession.

[boomboom]

Speaking of networking, there are a few people that are employed by a Major League team in BMO. Actually if you just look at the IL30 roster, you will see a few of scouts, and front office people.

[dps]

The main question in this thread is kind of like asking, "How do I become CEO of Wallmart?" Same answers, too--start at the bottom and work your way up, get a good education in the relative field, and/or be born into the right family. Don't have to be a lawyer for either job.

There are a couple other interesting questions brought up:

Originally Posted by boa
Bill James a pioneer? He wasn't the first in his field, or even the most skilled in his field.

He popularized it, though.

That was essentially enough to get Henry Chadwick in. Personally, I'd put James or Ernie Lanigan in ahead of Chadwick.

There's no question in my mind that Marvin Miller deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Of course, he'll never get in...look at the people who'd have to vote for him: for the most part, baseball executives. The guys that he took on in order to change the game

Actually, his selection is in the hand of the Veterens Committee, which is now made up of all living HoFers, which means mostly the guys that he took on the owners and execs in behalf of. Which makes it a bit surprising to me that they haven't voted him in. In my personal opinion, he definately deserves induction; even though I generally detest unions (and unions of pro athletes in particular), there is no doubt that he had a very substantial impact.

[HoustonGM]

There's no question in my mind that Marvin Miller deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Of course, he'll never get in...look at the people who'd have to vote for him: for the most part, baseball executives. The guys that he took on in order to change the game. These are notoriously thin-skinned guys with petty egos that are used to getting their way through the judicious application of lots of money - and Miller beat them at their own game. If he did get in, I'm not so sure one of them wouldn't sneak in at night and deface his marker with a spray-paint can...as long as they are the acting gatekeepers, he'll be kept out.

What's particularly interesting is that when the VC was made up of former players, Miller was nearing election, getting over 60% in the votes....Then, for whatever reason, perhaps coincidence or perhaps not, the makeup of the VC was changed to mostly consist of executives....and Miller's vote totals dropped substantially.

[HoustonGM]

Actually, his selection is in the hand of the Veterens Committee, which is now made up of all living HoFers, which means mostly the guys that he took on the owners and execs in behalf of. Which makes it a bit surprising to me that they haven't voted him in. In my personal opinion, he definately deserves induction; even though I generally detest unions (and unions of pro athletes in particular), there is no doubt that he had a very substantial impact.

Well, NOW, the VC isn't made up of all living HoFers. It was in 2003 and 2007, and the VC elected NOBODY...Miller, though, received the highest vote percentage among executives, with 63%. Then, the VC was changed to a 12 man committee, 10 of which were non-players. Miller got 3 of the 12 votes. The cynics among us, and Miller himself, would say that this was a change done for the purpose of keeping Miller out...Here's a quote from Miller..."I find myself unwilling to contemplate one more rigged Veterans Committee whose members are handpicked to reach a particular outcome while offering a pretense of a democratic vote. It is an insult to baseball fans, historians, sportswriters, and especially to those baseball players who sacrificed and brought the game into the 21st century. At the age of 91, I can do without farce."

[dps]

Well, NOW, the VC isn't made up of all living HoFers. It was in 2003 and 2007, and the VC elected NOBODY. Then, it was changed...a 12 man committee, 10 of which were non-players. Miller got 3 of the 12 votes.

Well, I knew that they'd eventually change it, since the HoFers themselves weren't electing anyone. I missed that it was already changed, though. When did this happen, and who are the members?

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Well, I knew that they'd eventually change it, since the HoFers themselves weren't electing anyone. I missed that it was already changed, though. When did this happen, and who are the members?

I personally don't know who the members are, but a good majority of them are the very owners whose wallets were lightened because of Miller's work.

[HoustonGM]

Well, I knew that they'd eventually change it, since the HoFers themselves weren't electing anyone. I missed that it was already changed, though. When did this happen, and who are the members?

The change was made prior to this year's balloting. The ballot for the umpires and managers was voted on by a separate committee than the ballot for the executives. From Wikipedia, the executive ballot was voted on by

• Hall of Famers: Monte Irvin, Harmon Killebrew
• Executives:
  
  • Retired: Bobby Brown, John Harrington
  • Active: Jerry Bell, Bill DeWitt, Bill Giles, David Glass, Andy MacPhail
• Media: Paul Hagen, Rick Hummel, Hal McCoy

This committee elected the man that Marvin Miller opposed throughout his entire career, Bowie Kuhn...but not Miller.

[boa]

He wasn't a pioneer, but rather somebody who brought it to the masses.

Bill James is pretty much the most overrated person in baseball. Period.

[HoustonGM]

Bill James is pretty much the most overrated person in baseball. Period.

Yeah. None of his work is good, and he certainly wasn't influential. Nor does he work for one of the best-run organizations in the game.

[boa]

So do 100 teens in the concession stands. I don't think he was influential at all. Maybe overhyped, and in the right place at the right time. Most of his initial theories were disproved.

[HoustonGM]

I don't think he was influential at all. Maybe overhyped, and in the right place at the right time. Most of his initial theories were disproved.

Being influential does not mean that everything you said, or even most of it, was perfectly accurate.

[boa]

Ok.

[justanewguy]

Being a GM probably isn't that difficult.

[TheNamelessPoet]

HEH ASK BRIAN CASHMAN

being the royals gm, no its not. to be the gm of a team that matters... OH yea... I bet its hard, REALLY hard in facr