Becoming a GM?

[dps]

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

Sucks, doesn't it? I wouldn't vote for Kuhn.

[HoustonGM]

Sucks, doesn't it? I wouldn't vote for Kuhn.

Same.

[JayC]

George Costanza was a nobody with no baseball experience, and look at the job HE got.

Assistant to the Traveling Secretary, I believe. Probably a more achievable goal.

[defense]

There is probably a better chance at winning the lottery twice than becoming a general manager of a major league team. Not trying to burst your bubble or anything, though(just my "realist" point of view)

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

There is probably a better chance at winning the lottery twice than becoming a general manager of a major league team. Not trying to burst your bubble or anything, though(just my "realist" point of view)

I don't think the chances are quite that long, but like I said, its what I've wanted to do, basically since I was 12 or so.

[defense]

I don't think the chances are quite that long, but like I said, its what I've wanted to do, basically since I was 12 or so.

Well you have to take into account that there are only 30 job openings(if you are set on general managing a MLB team) at any given time, and a good majority stick out as their teams general manager for atleast 5 seasons. Which leaves only a couple general managing slots open every year. And since everyone would want to take that job, you would have really slim chances.

With that said, nothing is impossible, so good luck

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Well you have to take into account that there are only 30 job openings(if you are set on general managing a MLB team) at any given time, and a good majority stick out as their teams general manager for atleast 5 seasons. Which leaves only a couple general managing slots open every year. And since everyone would want to take that job, you would have really slim chances.

With that said, nothing is impossible, so good luck

I'm fully aware of that.

[justanewguy]

As was said, winning the lottery is more likely. There are way more 8 and 9 figure lottery winners in history than major league GMs.

Wanting to become a GM is like wanting to become an astronaut. There's only a handful of them at one time, and there are rarely more than a couple openings.

Even becoming a rock star or A-list actor is more likely.

Yeah, good luck to anyone who wants to become a GM. If you work hard enough, if you're sharp, and if you truly DO know a lot about baseball, it's possible to make it. It's not like nobody ever did it before.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

As was said, winning the lottery is more likely. There are way more 8 and 9 figure lottery winners in history than major league GMs.

Wanting to become a GM is like wanting to become an astronaut. There's only a handful of them at one time, and there are rarely more than a couple openings.

Even becoming a rock star or A-list actor is more likely.

Yeah, good luck to anyone who wants to become a GM. If you work hard enough, if you're sharp, and if you truly DO know a lot about baseball, it's possible to make it. It's not like nobody ever did it before.

I know that the chances of actually becoming a GM are very, very slim. But even if I fail in that as my ultimate goal, I'd be perfectly happy just working in scouting and development or something along those lines. My ultimate goal still remains, but I'm happy to settle for a lesser role.

I know its gonna be a lot of hard work, a lot of tough competition, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but who ever got anywhere in life without all of those?

[justanewguy]

I know that the chances of actually becoming a GM are very, very slim. But even if I fail in that as my ultimate goal, I'd be perfectly happy just working in scouting and development or something along those lines. My ultimate goal still remains, but I'm happy to settle for a lesser role.

Those jobs can be relatively "easy" to get into, if you really, really want to do that.

I know its gonna be a lot of hard work, a lot of tough competition, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but who ever got anywhere in life without all of those?

Exactly. And the quote in your signature matches that perfectly. You should definitely go for it.

I wish I had the type of determination to actually attempt to live out my dreams of being a musician. Unfortunately, I became way too tied up in the 9-to-5 grind, adult responsibilities, and worst of all... women.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Those jobs can be relatively "easy" to get into, if you really, really want to do that.



Exactly. And the quote in your signature matches that perfectly. You should definitely go for it.

I wish I had the type of determination to actually attempt to live out my dreams of being a musician. Unfortunately, I became way too tied up in the 9-to-5 grind, adult responsibilities, and worst of all... women.

Oh I intend to, and I have for a long time. I've known its not going to be easy, and I know its not going to be a job I "just get" two years after I graduate from college. But I sure as hell don't get the grades I do sitting around picking my nose, and I'll be damned if I let anything get in my way of pursuing the dream I've had for as long as I've been a fan of baseball.

That's part of it, actually, I don't think I could deal with the monotony of a regular 9-to-5 job.

Plus I've got that Irish stubborn, hard-working, determined thing going on .

[BINGLEBOP]

I know that the chances of actually becoming a GM are very, very slim. But even if I fail in that as my ultimate goal, I'd be perfectly happy just working in scouting and development or something along those lines. My ultimate goal still remains, but I'm happy to settle for a lesser role.

What is it specifically that you want to do? Do you just want the title and be referred to as the "general manager"? Or do you want to work within baseball operations? Even though every team has a general manager, sometimes there are others with more specialty roles (negotiating contracts, scouting and development, etc), so one man doesn't do it all.

What do you think a general manager does that you want to do specifically? Is it being a "general manager" that is the most important to you, or working in baseball? Because every major company has a general manager... not just professional sports franchises.

Obviously you're doing your homework, so hopefully you don't think being a general manager will be just like playing Baseball Mogul in real life.

I know its gonna be a lot of hard work, a lot of tough competition, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but who ever got anywhere in life without all of those?

True, and I won't be the one to tell you to "be realistic", because I remember when I was the same way (and still am). I admire people that have big dreams, the people who never listened when somebody told them to come out of the clouds or to "get real" when they were growing up. I love hearing those stories about people that never gave up and maintained their perseverance even if they didn't have anybody in their corner. A little story...

Since I was injured so much growing up and never had a chance to play baseball for any length of time, I wanted to work behind the scenes. I wanted to become the general manager... of the Colorado Rockies at that time. For those of you who remember Baseball Weekly, do you remember the Clubhouse feature they used to have for younger fans? Around 1994 or 1995, they had a Q&A forum where young fans could submit questions to their favorite player. You know... ask Greg Maddux how he throws a change-up... or ask Ken Griffey Jr. how to work on having a great swing. My question was the first one that they chose, and it wasn't to any player. It was to Bob Gebhard, who was the general manager of the Rockies at that time! It was what college courses I needed to take to become general manager someday! I was 13 or so, and they chose that question out of all the others. Unfortunately, I lost the issue long ago.

Obviously it didn't happen, and it won't anymore. That chapter ended, and a new one began. I took it as far as I was able to go. The year I moved down to the Twin Cities and finished at the University of Minnesota, I applied for an internship in the front office of the Minnesota Twins... "THE chance". I had everything perfect... the entire package that I worked on for months in preparation. In addition to the passion and dedication, I had the courses, grades, extracurricular activities, resume, cover letter, references from everybody (including Fred Claire, the former general manager of the Dodgers, who I had known for awhile), but it didn't happen. That kind of sealed the deal for me and ended my "dream". Some people might say that it wasn't "meant to be", but that's just the ego justifying failure, and you just can't leave some things up to destiny or fate. Somebody obviously had "more" than I did. It took me awhile to get over that, but I never stopped dreaming big, and new opportunities presented themselves, and I haven't looked back since.

So keep up the "dream" and keep working hard at it. Personally I think when we stop having dreams (big or small ones), that's when that "lust for life" is lost. I think one of the best pieces of advice I received from somebody, that you could apply to anything in life, is to remember that no matter what you want and how hard you are willing to work at it, there is somebody who wants it just as much and is working harder than you right now. What could you be doing right now to get closer to what you want in life? And why aren't you doing that?

That's all I have.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

What is it specifically that you want to do? Do you just want the title and be referred to as the "general manager"? Or do you want to work within baseball operations? Even though every team has a general manager, sometimes there are others with more specialty roles (negotiating contracts, scouting and development, etc), so one man doesn't do it all.

What do you think a general manager does that you want to do specifically? Is it being a "general manager" that is the most important to you, or working in baseball? Because every major company has a general manager... not just professional sports franchises.

Its not the title, because I know most companies have one, its that I want to work in baseball and be a part of the process of putting a successful baseball team together, and the General Manager/VP of Baseball Operations (its basically the same thing) is the highest rung of that process. I know its not one man that does it all, there are tons of scouting and development, negotiators, etc., in every team, but I want the glory and recognition when my team does well, but I'm also willing to take the flak when it doesn't do well.

True, and I won't be the one to tell you to "be realistic", because I remember when I was the same way (and still am). I admire people that have big dreams, the people who never listened when somebody told them to come out of the clouds or to "get real" when they were growing up. I love hearing those stories about people that never gave up and maintained their perseverance even if they didn't have anybody in their corner. A little story...

Since I was injured so much growing up and never had a chance to play baseball for any length of time, I wanted to work behind the scenes. I wanted to become the general manager... of the Colorado Rockies at that time. For those of you who remember Baseball Weekly, do you remember the Clubhouse feature they used to have for younger fans? Around 1994 or 1995, they had a Q&A forum where young fans could submit questions to their favorite player. You know... ask Greg Maddux how he throws a change-up... or ask Ken Griffey Jr. how to work on having a great swing. My question was the first one that they chose, and it wasn't to any player. It was to Bob Gebhard, who was the general manager of the Rockies at that time! It was what college courses I needed to take to become general manager someday! I was 13 or so, and they chose that question out of all the others. Unfortunately, I lost the issue long ago.

Obviously it didn't happen, and it won't anymore. That chapter ended, and a new one began. I took it as far as I was able to go. The year I moved down to the Twin Cities and finished at the University of Minnesota, I applied for an internship in the front office of the Minnesota Twins... "THE chance". I had everything perfect... the entire package that I worked on for months in preparation. In addition to the passion and dedication, I had the courses, grades, extracurricular activities, resume, cover letter, references from everybody (including Fred Claire, the former general manager of the Dodgers, who I had known for awhile), but it didn't happen. That kind of sealed the deal for me and ended my "dream". Some people might say that it wasn't "meant to be", but that's just the ego justifying failure, and you just can't leave some things up to destiny or fate. Somebody obviously had "more" than I did. It took me awhile to get over that, but I never stopped dreaming big, and new opportunities presented themselves, and I haven't looked back since.

So keep up the "dream" and keep working hard at it. Personally I think when we stop having dreams (big or small ones), that's when that "lust for life" is lost. I think one of the best pieces of advice I received from somebody, that you could apply to anything in life, is to remember that no matter what you want and how hard you are willing to work at it, there is somebody who wants it just as much and is working harder than you right now. What could you be doing right now to get closer to what you want in life? And why aren't you doing that?

That's all I have.

Thats a great story and great advice.

I'll share with you all the first draft of the College Essay I'll be sending to Springfield College (My #1 choice, at the moment), just to give you an idea of where this came from and what the motivation is. Plus I'd love a little constructive criticism on it, even though two English teachers and my Guidance Counselor will be reading it.


My College Essay to Springfield:

What The Steal Did to Me
By: John Monahan

I’d always been a casual fan of baseball, I knew most of the big names, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, and I’d even attended a few games visiting my sister in San Diego, but I’d never been a very serious fan of the game, and I never played or even watched on television that much. However, in 2004 I got swept up into Red Sox-mania, and found myself watching nearly every game late in the season. But the moment that brought me to where I am today, and the reason I am writing this very essay, was Dave Roberts steal of second base in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees. I still remember sitting in my parents Jetta in the Shaw’s parking lot listening to the game while my mom was picking some stuff up on the way home. There were only a few other cars around, and I remember being ready to cry because I thought the Red Sox would lose, and I remember swearing at Mariano Rivera to throw the ball and let Roberts steal the base. Well Roberts did steal that base, and little did I realize the implications it would have not just on the Red Sox, but on me as well.
That steal was the turning point of the series, and it sparked the most historic come back in baseball history, it sparked the Red Sox to their first World Championship in 86 years, and has more than a little to do with why they are where they are today, that’s the type of thing that resonates through an organization for years after it happens. And as I watched the Red Sox celebrate their World Series victory I realized then that that was what I wanted. I wanted to feel the euphoria, the rush, and the sense of accomplishment of winning a Championship. “The Steal” transformed me. I knew I would never have the talent to play on the field and be the one hitting the home runs and striking the hitters out. But I knew I was smart enough and determined enough to be the one to put together a World Series winning ball club, I knew I could become the next great General Manager in Major League Baseball.
Ever since then I’ve been one of the most diehard baseball fans you’ll ever meet, and ever since then all I’ve wanted to do with my life is work in professional baseball and become the General Manager of a Major League Baseball team and major in Sports Management, and ever since I knew Springfield existed I knew it was where I wanted to go. But I know that the competition for jobs in professional sports is just as fierce as the competition on the field. Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m competitive, because my competitive edge and a degree from Springfield College will give me a big leg up on the competition.

[dannymac910]

Obviously you're doing your homework, so hopefully you don't think being a general manager will be just like playing Baseball Mogul in real life.

IT'S NOT!?!?

[BINGLEBOP]

Well, maybe Baseball Mogul Online, but not Baseball Mogul.

You can't edit players in real life.