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John Mozeliak

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John Mozeliak
Mozeliak in 2015.
Born (1969-01-18) January 18, 1969 (age 55)
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Colorado
OccupationManagement
EmployerSt. Louis Cardinals
TitleGeneral Manager
PredecessorWalt Jocketty
SpouseJulie Mozeliak

John Mozeliak (born January 18, 1969) is the current Senior Vice President and General Manager (GM) of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). So far his only GM position, the Cardinals hired Mozeliak as the twelfth GM in franchise history after the 2007 season after serving and training as Walt Jocketty's assistant, despite lacking a professional baseball playing background.

During Mozeliak's tenure as GM, the Cardinals have made six playoff appearances, won one World Series title, and two National League pennants. Each of those teams has also finished with a winning record. The Cardinals' minor league farm system has received numerous accolades for the volume of prospects that have succeeded at the major league level. Baseball America recognized the franchise as Organization of the Year in 2011 and 2013. Mozeliak is signed through the 2018 season.

Early life

Mozeliak attended Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. He played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman. He also played American Legion baseball.[1] Mozeliak attended the University of Arizona before ultimately graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder.[2]

Career beginnings (1993–2007)

Colorado Rockies (1993–95)

In 1993, Jay Darnell, the Colorado Rockies' video coordinator, introduced Mozeliak to Bryn Smith, pitcher for the Rockies. Smith was looking for a location to go fly fishing. A few days after Mozeliak took Smith fly fishing, the Rockies invited Mozeliak to serve as a batting practice pitcher, since they needed someone who could throw left handed. Dante Bichette took a liking to Mozeliak, and they created a clubhouse job for Mozeliak. He began to work with Bob Gebhard, the Rockies' general manager (GM), and Walt Jocketty, the assistant GM.[1][2]

Roles in St. Louis Cardinals' scouting department (1995–2007)

When the St. Louis Cardinals hired Jocketty as their GM in 1995, Mozeliak went to St. Louis as well. He served as an assistant within the scouting department and later spent five seasons as Jocketty's assistant GM.[1] He became the assisting scouting director in 1998. The next season, Mozeliak was promoted to scouting director and oversaw the drafting of talent such as Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.[3] He garnered much attention as a major up-and-coming GM in the industry and interviewed with the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros.[4]

St. Louis Cardinals general manager (2007–present)

On October 3, 2007, Chairman of the Board of Directors Bill DeWitt announced that the Cardinals "had cordially and respectfully" parted ways with Jocketty based on philosophical differences of player development.[5] DeWitt named Mozeliak the interim GM. Dating back to the year before, tension arose after Jeff Luhnow, now the Astros' GM, was promoted to vice president of amateur scouting and player development. After more than a decade as GM, Luhnow's promotion tacitly signaled he had usurped that sphere of Jocketty's authority.[6]

While other candidates interviewed for the GM position, it appeared Cleveland Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti was the early favorite. However, Indians ownership improved Antonetti's offer to take over the full GM position and enticed him to stay. On the evening of October 30, 2007, Mozeliak accepted the Cardinals' offer and the team formally introduced him as the new GM the next day.[7]

Early moves (2007–10)

One of Mozeliak's first major moves was to trade iconic center fielder Jim Edmonds to the San Diego Padres for third baseman David Freese on December 15, 2007. Although stating regret at first over trading the popular but often-injured Edmonds, Freese later proved to be integral in the Cardinals' 2011 season.[8]

Matt Holliday

In 2009, Mozeliak acquired slugger Matt Holliday in a trade with the Oakland Athletics and signed him to the richest contract in team history the following January, valued at $116 million.[9][10] Through the beginning of August 2013, Holliday has produced a .900 OPS at a league-average adjusted OPS rate of 145 as a Cardinal, compared to 136 for his career.[11] On September 26, the Cardinals clinched their first division title during Mozeliak's tenure as GM against the Colorado Rockies.[12] However, they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.[13] When Holliday was a free agent the following offseason, DeWitt became frustrated with agent Scott Boras and walked away from negotiations. However, Mozeliak, who had developed a strong working relationship with DeWitt, persuaded him to sign Holliday for seven years at $17 million per year.[14]

Quest for consistency at shortstop

After Edgar Rentería manned shortstop for the Cardinals from 1999 to 2004, he left for the Boston Red Sox via free agency. The Cardinals found difficulty filling the position. In 2009, a trade involving Mark Worrell and Luke Gregerson brought Khalil Greene from the Padres. With poor performance and a $6.5 million salary, he took time off in May and June. It was revealed that he may have attempting to inflict injury upon himself, indicative of social anxiety disorder. Greene appeared in 77 games that season, batting just .200 with six home runs and 24 runs batted in. That was the last time he appeared in the major leagues.[15]

Lance Berkman contract

The Cardinals announced that Mozeliak endorsed a new three-year contract extension with the team through 2013 on July 15, 2010.[16] The following offseason, Mozeliak created a stir––even drawing ridicule––for inking 34-year-old Lance Berkman to a one-year, $8 million contract on December 4. Due to his 2010 results of a .248 batting average with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 122 games with the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, opinions circulated that he was too old to continue to produce at his former levels.[17]

However, Berkman dramatically improved his physical shape in the offseason. Early the next season, hitting coach Mark McGwire corrected a flaw in Berkman's swing that had been introduced by leg injuries and he responded with a .301 batting average, 31 home runs and 94 RBIs.[18] His 164 OPS+ was the highest of his career and his accolades for the year included an All-Star appearance, the NL Comeback Player of the Year award and seventh place in the MVP voting.

The path to the 2011 World Series

Mozeliak during the 2011 World Series parade

Mozeliak brandished what proved to be the one of the exceptional in-season moves to shape the 2011 season on July 27. He traded the highly regarded but troubled center fielder Colby Rasmus, relievers Trever Miller, P. J. Walters and Brian Tallet to the Toronto Blue Jays for starter Edwin Jackson, relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, outfielder Corey Patterson and three players to be named or cash.[19][20]

Still 10.5 games short of the wild card berth after 130 games on August 25, the Cardinals ended the season on a 22-9 run while capitalizing on the Atlanta Braves' collapse to avoid elimination on the season's final day, capping one of Major League Baseball's epic regular-season comebacks.[21] Dotel and Rzepczynski proved to factor significantly in making up the 10.5 games as they helped stabilize questionable bullpen performance. Dotel posted a 3.28 ERA and struck out 32 of the 96 batters he faced.[22] Rzepczynski posted a 3.97 ERA.[23] Jackson started twelve games for the Cardinals and posted a 3.58 ERA, winning five games and losing two.[24] The 10.5 games-won deficit is also the highest-surmounted at 130 games in MLB history.

2011 postseason

In the postseason––the Cardinals' second appearance during Mozeliak's tenure as GM––Freese set the single postseason RBI record with 21. He also salvaged the Cardinals from elimination in the World Series against the Texas Rangers by driving home the tying run on the final strike in the ninth inning of Game 6 –– which was accomplished again later that game. Tying the score twice on liquidation strikes in one game was the first such occurrence in World Series history.[25] Berkman became the second batter to tie the game on the team's final strike in the ninth inning or later with a two-run single in the tenth. Freese then halted the game in the eleventh with a home run off Mark Lowe.[26] Berkman and Freese became just the third and fourth hitters in World Series history to knock game-tying hits where the alternative was elimination.[27] Driven primarily by the Rasmus and Freese trades and the Berkman acquisition, Mozeliak concocted his first World Series title culminating in a game that "ranks among the greatest games in Fall Classic history" and "one of the greatest thrillers in baseball history."[26][28]

Albert Pujols' free agency

Following the 2011 World Series, the Cardinals found themselves in the position of having to negotiate to re-sign iconic first baseman Albert Pujols when he filed for free agency on December 1. The Cardinals had offered $198 million over nine years the previous January. After the season concluded, the Cardinals reopened their bid with five years and $130 million.[29] Other teams reportedly pursuing him were the Miami Marlins and two "mystery teams." The Marlins' offers were for nine years, then ten, but at first neither monetary figures were disclosed nor information was available on whether a no-trade clause would be included.[30]

The Cardinals increased their offer to $200 million over ten years, then $220 million; however, the two unidentified teams eclipsed the initial offer. Miami offered $200 million then $225 million.[31][32] Pujols then signed with one of the two anonymous teams on December 8 which had been revealed through rumors just a few days before –– the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim –– for $254 million over ten years.[33]

After signing with the Angels, Albert Pujols' wife, Diedre Pujols, commented on a St. Louis radio show that what the Cardinals had offered was an "'insult" and that they were "confused" after being told "'we want you to be a Cardinal for life.'"[29] Even so, Pujols' performance decline started before he became a free agent: in 2012, he finished in career lows in multiple categories, and in 2013, plantar fasciitis cut his season short.[34] Since then, Mozeliak's decision to let Pujols walk has paid off, as with the money he saved by not signing him, he extended ace Adam Wainwright and star catcher Yadier Molina. Also, with the two Compensation Picks the St. Louis Cardinals received from the Angels, they drafted 2013 postseason hero Michael Wacha and a promising young hitter who as the Cardinals Top Prospect after 2014 according to MLB.com, Stephen Piscotty.

Farm system turnaround (2012–present)

Despite the Cardinals' major league success in the 21st century spanning well before Mozeliak's tenure as GM –– they have just one losing season and nine playoff appearances since 2000 –– the farm system had lagged behind until more recent seasons. Between 2000 and 2007, the highest rank the farm system garnered was 21st; between 2002 and 2005 it "ranked 30th, 28th, 28th and 30th."[35][36] After 2011, Baseball America bestowed the Cardinals franchise with their first Organization of the Year award.[37] Seventeen of the 25 players on the 2011 playoff roster were players who had spent their entire careers with the Cardinals.[38] ESPN's Keith Law and Baseball Prospectus also ranked the Cardinals organization #1 for the 2013 season.[39][40]

After losing shortstop Rafael Furcal to injury in 2012, the Cardinals called up Pete Kozma to replace Furcal. Noted for his defense, Kozma had shown a poor track record in the minor leagues as a hitter, producing a .652 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 671 minor league games.[41] However, during his major league call-up in 2012, he batted .333 with a .952 OPS in 82 plate appearances. His skillful hitting continued in the playoffs, as he hit an RBI single in Game 5 against the Washington Nationals in the NLDS that ultimately proved to be the game and series winner, allowing the Cardinals to advance to the NLCS. Kozma became the starting shortstop the next season, but could not sustain his improved hitting in the Major Leagues, slumping to a .548 OPS.[42] In the following World Series against the Boston Red Sox, a two-play error contributed to a Red Sox' Game 1 victory on the way to the Red Sox winning the Series.[43]

Adam Wainwright and Allen Craig contracts

On February 14, 2013, the Cardinals extended Mozeliak's contract by three years to end after the 2016 season.[44] Late in spring training 2013, right-handed starting pitcher Adam Wainwright agreed to a five-year, $97.5 million extension that runs through 2018, the richest contract the Cardinals have awarded to a pitcher.[45] That spring, the Cardinals also signed first baseman Allen Craig to a five-year, $32 million contract.

Trade for Peter Bourjos and Jhonny Peralta contract

After making it to the 2013 World Series only to lose to the Boston Red Sox, the Cardinals addressed weaknesses the following offseason at shortstop and center field. First, they traded Freese and relief pitcher Fernando Salas to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for center fielder Peter Bourjos and right fielder Randal Grichuk.[46]

Just two days later, they signed free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a four-year, $53 million contract.[47] The Cardinals still had yet to find consistency at shortstop since the days of Rentería, and Peralta was seen as a player who could bring that consistency. However, the signing drew scrutiny because he had served a 50-game suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis of America scandal earlier in the season.

Fellow players such as Brad Ziegler of the Arizona Diamondbacks publicly complained that the 50-game suspension was not enough of a deterrent, because it appeared to fail to prevent players who violated the collective bargaining agreement's banned substances use policy to receive compensation for their performances equal to those who had not been found to violate the policy. Mozeliak defended the contract, stating that the Cardinals were not self-appointed "morality police." He further explained that "character and makeup are something we weigh into our decision-making. In his case, he admitted what he did, he took responsibility for it. I feel like he has paid for his mistakes, and obviously if he were to make another one, then it would be a huge disappointment."[48]

The Cardinals signed All-Star second baseman Matt Carpenter to a six-year, $52 million extension on March 6, 2014. Included was an option for 2020 worth $18.5 million. The year prior, he led the major leagues in hits, runs scored, and doubles while batting .318 and becoming a regular at a position he had yet to play as professional. Mozeliak cited his work ethic as another factor in the extension.[49]

On April 12, 2014, the Cardinals announced they had extended Mozeliak's contract by two years through the 2018 season.[50] They won the division this season but fell to the Giants in the NLCS.

Reports surfaced on June 16, 2015, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were reviewing an alleged incident involving Cardinals' front office officials hacking into the Houston Astros' database of players, scouting reports and proprietary statistics. It was regarded as the first known case of corporate espionage involving computer network hacking in professional sports.[51] On September 19, 2015, the Cardinals became the first team in MLB to clinch a playoff spot that season. It also extended a franchise record of five consecutive seasons of reaching the postseason, a record which the club had set the previous season.[52]

Awards and honors

Personal awards
Club distinctions with Mozeliak as general manager (2008–present)
Achievements
  • Franchise record 5 consecutive seasons with playoff appearance (2011–15)[52]

Personal life and other ventures

Mozeliak, his wife Julie, daughter Allison and son Will reside in St. Louis. He is the National Trustee for the Foundation Fighting Blindness.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Renck, Troy E. (October 29, 2013). "John Mozeliak of Boulder rose quickly to GM of St. Louis Cardinals". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  2. ^ a b St. Louis Cardinals 2006 Media Guide. Hadler Publishing Co. Page 11.
  3. ^ a b c "St. Louis Cardinals: Front office-John Mozeliak". www.mlb.com. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  4. ^ Goold, Derrick (October 4, 2007). "Mozeliak must steer Cards through state of flux". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
  5. ^ "Cardinals part ways with general manager". New York Times. October 4, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  6. ^ "Cardinals, Jocketty part ways after 13 seasons". ESPN. October 4, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  7. ^ Strauss, Joe (October 31, 2007). "Cards hire Mozeliak to replace Jocketty". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 31, 2007. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  8. ^ Leach, Matthew (December 15, 2007). "Cardinals trade Jim Edmonds for David Freese". MLB.com.
  9. ^ Booth, Randy (July 24, 2009). "A's trade Matt Holliday to Cardinals". Over the Monster.
  10. ^ Rogers, Phil (January 10, 2010). "Matt Holliday signing give St. Louis Cardinals huge edge in National League Central". Chicago Tribune.
  11. ^ "Matt Holliday statistics and history". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  12. ^ Stapleton, Arnie (September 26, 2009). "Cardinals clinch NL Central with win over Rockies". U-T San Diego.
  13. ^ Rubin, Adam (October 11, 2009). "Joe Torre, Los Angeles Dodgers sweep St. Louis Cardinals, head to NLCS". New York Daily News.
  14. ^ Strauss, Joe (January 14, 2014). "Rating Mozeliak's 10 biggest gambles: 9. Holding Holliday". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  15. ^ Piper, Derek (August 23, 2012). "Ranking GM John Mozeliak's best and worst roster moves; Worst: Trading for Khalil Greene". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  16. ^ "Mozeliak & Cardinals agree to three-year contract extension; G.M.'s new deal will carry through 2013" (Press release). Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. July 15, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  17. ^ "Lance Berkman statistics and history". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  18. ^ Keh, Andrew (October 20, 2011). "Berkman's revival in St. Louis started immediately". New York Times.
  19. ^ "Colby Rasmus statistics and history". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  20. ^ Watanabe, Ben (July 27, 2011). "Blue Jays acquire Rasmus from Cardinals in multi-player trade". New England Sports Network.
  21. ^ Murphy, David (August 15, 2012). "The path to the postseason: Don't let the 2011 Cardinals fool you". Philadelphia Daily News.
  22. ^ "Octavio Dotel statistics and history". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  23. ^ "Mark Rzepcynski statistics and history". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  24. ^ "Edwin Jackson statistics and history". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  25. ^ DiComo, Anthony (October 29, 2011). "Freese caps stellar playoffs with Series MVP: Cards slugger also wins NLCS MVP, sets postseason RBI mark". MLB.com.
  26. ^ a b "Texas vs. St. Louis recap". Sports Illustrated. October 27, 2011.
  27. ^ Schoenfield, David (October 28, 2011). "Pain, agony: Cardinals win all-time thriller". ESPN.
  28. ^ Crasnick, Jerry (December 30, 2011). "Baseball's game of the year: World Series Game 6". ESPN.
  29. ^ a b Hensley, Roger (December 12, 2011). "Diedre Pujols speaks up about split with Cardinals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  30. ^ "Miami Marlins offer St. Louis Cardinals free agent Albert Pujols 10-year contract, sources say". ESPN.com. December 6, 2011.
  31. ^ van Dyck, Dave (December 8, 2011). "Situation fluid regarding free agent Albert Pujols". Chicago Tribune.
  32. ^ Brooks, Matt (December 7, 2011). "Report: Albert Pujols gets 10-year, $220 million offer from Cardinals". Washington Post.
  33. ^ Kepner, Tyler (December 8, 2011). "Angels lure Pujols with 10-year contract". New York Times.
  34. ^ Kepner, Tyler (July 29, 2013). "Angels pay heavy price for gamble on Pujols". New York Times.
  35. ^ Goold, Derrick (January 26, 2013). "Cards' minor-league system ranks #1". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  36. ^ a b Rogerson, John (February 7, 2013). "St. Louis Cardinals minor league system ranked #1". TCPalm (www.tcpalm.com).
  37. ^ a b McTaggart, Brian (December 16, 2011). "Cardinals named Organization of the Year". MLB.com.
  38. ^ Noles, Corey (February 25, 2013). "3 reasons the St. Louis Cardinals have had so much homegrown success". Bleacher Report.
  39. ^ a b Parks, Jason (March 29, 2013). "Prospects will break your heart". Baseball Prospectus. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ a b Law, Keith (February 4, 2013). "St. Louis Cardinals lead Keith Law's rankings of all 30 farm systems". ESPN (insider account required).
  41. ^ "Pete Kozma minor league statistics & history". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  42. ^ Strauss, Joe (January 14, 2014). "Rating Mozeliak's 10 biggest gambles: 8. The Pete Kozma experience". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  43. ^ Berg, Ted (October 24, 2013). "Cards' Kozma crushed by gaffes: 'I just missed it'". USA Today. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  44. ^ Langosch, Jennifer (February 14, 2013). "Cards extend Mozeliak, pick up Matheny's option". MLB.com.
  45. ^ Cocoran, Cliff (March 29, 2013). "Wainwright extension a perfect compromise for both sides". Sports Illustrated.
  46. ^ Crasnick, Jerry (November 22, 2013). "Los Angeles Angels trade Peter Bourjos for David Freese". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  47. ^ Heitner, Darryl (November 26, 2013). "Winners and losers from shortstop Jhonny Peralta's new $53 million contract with the Cardinals". Forbes. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  48. ^ Fallstrom, A. P. (November 26, 2013). "GM on Peralta: Cardinals not 'morality police'". Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  49. ^ Cocoran, Cliff (March 8, 2014). "Cardinals reward Carpenter with a warranted, intelligent six-year extension". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  50. ^ Snyder, Matt (April 12, 2014). "Cardinals extend GM John Mozeliak's contract through 2018". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  51. ^ Schmidt, Michael S. (June 16, 2015). "Cardinals face F.B.I. inquiry in hacking of Astros' database". The New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  52. ^ a b Langosch, Jenifer (September 19, 2015). "Cards become 1st team to clinch postseason spot". stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  53. ^ Kaegel, Dick (November 16, 2012). "Angels outfielder Mike Trout is Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Legacy Awards' MVP". arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com.
  54. ^ a b Harris, Matthew (April 12, 2014). "Cardinals give general manager John Mozeliak two-year extension". MLB.com. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
Preceded by St. Louis Cardinals General Manager
2007–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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