(photo: Mike Matheny, Michael Girsch (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced this (Friday) afternoon that John Mozeliak has been promoted to President of Baseball Operations for the team, while Michael Girsch has been promoted to Vice-President & General Manager of the club. Both Mozeliak and Girsch have agreed to contracts that will run through the 2020 season.
“It is as important to maintain outstanding talent in the front office as it is on the playing field,” said Bill DeWitt Jr., Principal Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the St. Louis Cardinals. “Our success as an organization is built upon our continuity in leadership and today’s announcement ensures we keep two of the best young talents in our game for years to come.”
While other Major League Clubs have had Presidents of Baseball Operations, today’s announcement is a first for the Cardinals and is in keeping with an industry that continues to grow and prosper. As President of Baseball Operations, Mozeliak will be responsible for the department, while Girsch will handle the day to day work of the team as the General Manager.
“Mike Girsch is more than ready to take over the daily operations of this department, while I am excited to focus on more strategic goals of the organization,” said Mozeliak, President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals. “Our entire group is fortunate to work for Bill DeWitt Jr, a visionary leader who has invested heavily in creating an organization that values innovation and demands excellence in every aspect of its operations.”
Mozeliak, 48, is a 22-year veteran of the Cardinals front office who has served as the team’s General Manager for ten seasons (2008-2017). During his tenure as General Manager, the Cardinals have advanced to the postseason six times, winning a World Championship in 2011, and the National League Championship in 2013. The Cardinals have twice been recognized by Baseball America as the Organization of the Year (2011 & 2013). The prestigious honor recognized the Cardinals for their success in scouting and player development. Mozeliak was named Executive of the Year in 2011 by MLB.com.
“I look forward to working with Mo, Bill and our entire team to bring another World Championship to St. Louis,” said Girsch, General Manager “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with Mo and Bill, and I am looking forward to this new challenge. ”
Girsch, 41, is an 11-year veteran of the Cardinals front office who has served as the team’s Assistant General Manager for seven seasons (2011 – 2017). As the team’s Assistant General Manager, Girsch assisted Mozeliak with Major League player transactions and player evaluations, and helps oversee all aspects of Baseball Operations, including amateur and pro scouting, player development, international operations and baseball development. Girsch joined the Cardinals in 2006, starting his career with a two year stint as the Coordinator of Amateur Scouting. In 2008, he was named Director of Baseball Development, and focused on assisting Baseball Operations via internet applications, analytical models and decision support tools. He led the department for three years before his promotion to Assistant General Manager in January 2011.
Prior to joining the Cardinals, Girsch earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Girsch and his wife Kelly, reside in Webster Groves with their four children.
Brian Walton’s take
As I suspected before the announcements…
Hoping it's not "President of Baseball Operations", but wouldn't be surprised. Only MLB could come up with idea of multiple team presidents.
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) June 30, 2017
The two individuals promoted are competent in their jobs and deserving.
Now, Mozeliak has the same title as Theo Epstein of the rival Chicago Cubs as well as several other peers. However, I am not a fan of the trend in professional sports to name multiple presidents. It just makes no sense to me.
Further, it is unclear if team President Bill DeWitt III, who has been in his role for 10 years, becomes downgraded to President of Business Operations, which was essentially his role, anyway. In reality, it doesn’t matter when you are the owner’s son.
In a practical sense, all of these people were doing the same things before Friday, though there is now increased formality to it, with the biggest step up being for Girsch.
Some will question the timing, as everyone agrees the team on the field, which is currently 37-41, is underachieving. In the team’s press conference, Mozeliak defended the need for the moves, noting that it was necessary to protect losing Girsch to another club.
Perhaps that risk exists, as the Cardinals especially lost a lot of talent to Houston after Jeff Luhnow became general manager there. But it is also fair to suggest that some of the shine on the Cardinals as an organization has been tarnished over the past few years for both on and off-field reasons.
Mozeliak and Girsch are now under contract through 2020, as is manager Mike Matheny, who was given a three-year extension last off-season with a year remaining on his prior deal.
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