USD Magazine, Spring 2004

general manager in 1993 and vice president and general manager in 1994. "I started working in baseball in the farm system, and I knew from the beginning that every kid in the organization was somebody's son," Bavasi told the Tacoma News-Tribune after being hired by the Mariners. "We owed it to chem to cry to gee chem to rhe majors. They are nor just names on a clipboard." Bavasi's baseball expertise led him to a job as general manager for rhe Anaheim Angels from 1994 to 1999. Although rhe ream did nor reach the playoffs during his tenure, he is given a considerable share of the credit for assembling the Anaheim team that won the World Series in 2002. In 1999, however, after he disagreed wi th former Angels President Tony Tavares over several issues, Bavasi resigned. "Billy resigned on a Friday, and on Saturday afrer rhe game, he came into the cl ubhouse," says Tim Mead, the Angels' vice president of communications. "(Angels play– ers) Gary DiSarcina, Darin Erstad and Troy Percival and a few ochers stayed there all night, just talking baseball. He cared abo ut rhe game and rhe players, and it showed." After leaving the Angels, Bavasi rook the player development job for the Dodgers, staying two seasons before joining the Mariners last November. Unlike the announcement for Epstein, few were sur– prised by Bavasi's introduction, because he has built a reputation as one of the most solid men in rhe game. "He has tremendous integrity, he's well respected throughout the game. Bring up his name and I'm sure 95 percent of the people in baseball are going to say great th ings about him," Towers says. "He's (also) got great people skills. He's affable, and I crust him. I can't say char about a lot of ocher general managers. He's a very trust– worthy guy." GREAT EXPECTATIONS Expectations are high for both Epstein and Bavasi chis season, bur both understand char operating under a microscope comes with the rerri tory. Unwilling to accept lasr year's second– place finish as good enough, Epstein moved again this winter, acquiring scar pitcher Curr Schilling from Arizona to gain what most experts see as an advantage over the Yankees in starring pitching. He also acquired relief pi tcher Keith Foulke, veteran designated

hiner/ourfielder Ellis Burks and talented second baseman Pokey Reese. "We came within five ours of the World Series last year, and the ream should be improved," Epstein says. "T his ream has better balance, deeper pitching and a better bench. We'll be very competitive in the toughest division in baseball. " Bavasi knows the hear is on, too, as he takes over a team that won 93 games last year, but missed the playoffs. "I would have a hard rime saying that if we don't win the World Series, that chis will be an unsuccessful season," says Bavasi, 46. "I chink chat's a great macho thing to say, but char in a lot of ways it can be a lot of bull. Maybe chis is a flaw in my perspective, but I think you set more shore-range goals that take you to char ultimate goal." Since joining the Mariners, Bavasi has signed three free agents scheduled to be in rhe starting lineup - outfielder Raul Ibanez, shortstop Rich Aurilia and third baseman Scott Spezio. He also added free agent relief pitcher Eddie Guardado. The moves are designed to take the Mariners to rhe next level, but in many respects, Bavasi is already there. Although he's been around the game his entire life, Bavasi says he's still learning, and is glad to have a second chance in rhe GM's sear. "The thing most guys learn from their first experience is char you're lucky to have a second rime to do chis job," Bavasi says, "so you had better make sure char every decision you make counts."+

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