GMs say Rays got best man for the job

Praise for a man with a history of success pours in from peers around baseball.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published November 3, 2005

	[AP, 2004]
	Gerry Hunsicker's departure from Houston can't obscure the fact that this season's NL champions bore his fingerprints, colleagues say. John Romano: Guys, take your bows; you're in the big leagues Rebuilding the Rays If you were in charge of baseball operations, what would your first move be? Acquire a proven starting pitcher Get a leadoff man who gets on base Develop home-grown talent

ST. PETERSBURG - Gerry Hunsicker joins the Devil Rays today as their No. 2 baseball executive, bringing with him a reputation as a shrewd evaluator, a resume of success and a rash of respect from his peers.

"He's a fantastic choice for that organization," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "He's one of the top GMs in the game. ... They didn't settle for anybody. He's a legitimate first-round pick."

During Hunsicker's nine seasons in Houston (1996-2004), the Astros compiled a 701-595 record that was the sixth best in the majors over that span and made the playoffs five times.

Usually they battled the Cardinals, leaving St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty happy to hear that Hunsicker was headed to Tampa Bay.

"Quite frankly, I'm glad he's out of the league," Jocketty said. "He's obviously a very bright guy. He's always had a very good idea about how to put a club together and what it takes to win. He's able to communicate well within his organization and with other GMs. He's a very shrewd talent evaluator. I think he'll be a great asset to the Tampa Bay organization."

Hunsicker, who agreed to a three-year deal, and Andrew Friedman, the 28-year-old who will be top executive, will be introduced today by principal owner Stuart Sternberg at a noon news conference at Tropicana Field.

Expect them to say that Friedman will be in charge and have final say on all decisions but that Hunsicker, in a vice president-level position, will be involved in all aspects of the operation, and that he is eager to serve as a mentor. Neither will have the traditional title of general manager as the Rays adopt more of a corporate structure.

Hunsicker, 55, left the Astros after the 2004 season over what sounds like irreconcilable differences with owner Drayton McLane, and occasional quotes and newspaper columns out of Houston suggest there may be some lingering bitterness from the organization.

During the recent postseason, Astros president Tal Smith made a point of repeatedly saying the team's success was a reflection of the organization rather than its former leader.

But Hunsicker's colleagues say the team he left behind is a testament to the kind of job he did.

"You look at the Houston Astros organization and that's his plan, his success," said Baltimore vice president Jim Duquette, who worked with Hunsicker with the Mets. "As much as you hear from others that they had fingerprints on it - everyone had fingerprints on it - but it really was Gerry's overall plan that made the Astros what they are.

"It's been an incredible run. Look at their revenues and their payroll and you compare it to some of the other organizations, and the consistency they've had; that's what most organizations strive to be, and he's done it."

Others agreed.

"Look at what he built in Houston," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He was really the man responsible for that."

"The proof is there for anyone to see," Cashman said.

Hunsicker earned his reputation as a "baseball man" by working his way up through the Astros and Mets minor-league departments. He turned the Astros into a success by building an organization that succeeded in several areas: drafting and developing, making key acquisitions, signing international prospects, hiring good staffs and winning at the major-league level.

"He's somebody that doesn't look over people's shoulders," said Tim Purpura, who replaced him in Houston. "He's one of those people who is creative and bright and has good ideas on things. He has strong opinions, which I think you have to have in this game, and I don't think he's afraid to voice strong opinions when he has to."

Duquette, who was mentored by Hunsicker, said he expects the arrangement with Friedman to work out fine.

"He'll make any situation work," Duquette said. "I give him the benefit of the doubt, that this is a situation I'm assuming he's completely comfortable with. I think he would have had options (for a GM job) in L.A. I think this works best for him with his family situation. To me, the Devil Rays organization and their fans are the beneficiaries of him signing on down there."

"He's a very knowledgeable baseball man," Dombrowski said. "He's very hard working. He has a real burning fire in him to be successful. He's an emotional guy in that regard. He has strong feelings about things. He's very well-regarded. He does his homework. He's very likable.

"I think he's one of the best GMs in the game."

Hunsicker, who is married, has one daughter, owns a condo in Fort Myers, plays golf and also dabbles in thoroughbred racing (with horses named Extrabases and Light Tower Power), is also a good person.

Rays TV broadcaster Dewayne Staats, a longtime friend, found out how good in fall 2003 when his late wife, Dee, was diagnosed with cancer.

"When Dee got sick again they immediately said, "Get out to Houston to M.D. Anderson (cancer center). Our house is your house,' " Staats said. "We stayed there both before and after the surgery and they couldn't have been kinder to us. They opened their home and their hearts to us, as good friends do.

"That to me says everything you need to know about what kind of person he is."

Times staff writers Damian Cristodero and John Romano contributed to this report.

[Last modified November 3, 2005, 01:07:13]