Dave Dombrowski is well-known in baseball, a World Series winner with the Marlins and general manager of the Tigers, who lost two World Series during his tenure.
Age: 59
He’s from: Chicago
Educated at: Western Michigan and Cornell
Background: An executive with the White Sox, Expos, Marlins, Tigers, and now the Red Sox. He was general manager of the Marlins when John Henry owned the team.
In Montreal
Dombrowski was named general manager of the Expos in 1988 at age 31, the youngest-ever GM up to then. Previously, he had been farm director and assistant GM with the team, after stints as farm director and assistant GM with the White Sox. With the Expos, Dombrowski began to build his reputation as an executive who completes aggressive and bold trades.
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In Florida
Dombrowski was named general manager of the Marlins in 1992. In 1997, the team won the World Series. Then, ownership ordered him to eviscerate the team in a cost-saving move. John Henry became owner of the Marlins in 1999. Dombrowski departed in 2001. Henry sold the Marlins in January 2002 and then became principal owner of the Red Sox.
In Detroit
Dombrowski initially was hired as president of the Tigers in 2001 and added the title of general manager in 2002. The team was rebuilding and Dombrowski was making moves. He signed catcher Ivan Rodriguez in 2004 and manager Jim Leyland in 2006; he led the team to the World Series that season, where they lost to the Cardinals. Dombrowski traded for Miguel Cabrera and signed Victor Martinez and Prince Fielder. The Tigers were back in the World Series in 2012, and were swept by the Giants. The Tigers remained a strong team and were seen as having post-season potential each year after that. This year their season fell apart after injuries to key players. Dombrowski, whose contract was ending, was let go by team owner Mike Ilitch in early August and immediately became an enticing possibility for several teams, including the Red Sox.
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