Dayton Moore

Architect of the Royals' 2015 World Series championship team.

Dayton Moore (born February 17, 1967) is an American professional baseball executive who currently serves as the senior advisor of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Quick Facts

Team: Texas Rangers
Position: General manager; Senior advisor of baseball operations
Born: 17 February 1967
Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Highlights: 3× World Series champion (1995, 2015, 2023)

Lore & Background

Moore was born on February 17, 1967, in Wichita Falls, Texas. He played American Legion Baseball in Moline, Illinois, and was part of the Moline team that was runner-up in the Illinois state American Legion tournament. A childhood Royals fan, he claims to have watched the 1985 World Series in Kansas City from Interstate 70. He played baseball at Garden City Community College before graduating from George Mason University in 1989 with a degree in Physical Education and Health. He received a master's degree in Education with a concentration in Athletic Administration from George Mason in 1992 and served as an assistant baseball coach at the university from 1990 to 1994. He also managed the Winchester Royals of the Valley Baseball League during the summers of 1992 and 1993. Moore entered MLB in 1994 as a scout for the Atlanta Braves. He held roles including assistant director of scouting, assistant director of player development, director of international scouting, and director of player personnel development before becoming assistant general manager in August 2005. In 2005 he interviewed with the Boston Red Sox for GM but did not get the job. The Kansas City Royals hired him as general manager on June 8, 2006, replacing Allard Baird. On August 31, 2009, his contract was extended through 2014. In December 2010, he traded Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt to the Milwaukee Brewers for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi, and Jeremy Jeffress. After the 2013 season, his contract was extended through 2016. The Royals reached the World Series in 2014 and 2015, winning in 2015. He was awarded the Sporting News Executive of the Year Award after the 2015 season. After the World Series win, he signed another contract extension. In June 2018, he generated backlash for comments about convicted child molester and Oregon State pitching prospect Luke Heimlich. In late 2019, owner David Glass sold the team to John Sherman, who retained Moore as GM. In September 2021, Moore was promoted to president of baseball operations, with J. J. Picollo named GM. In September 2022, Moore was relieved of his duties as president of baseball operations and general manager by Sherman, as the Royals were 59-89 and had not had a winning season since 2015; he left the organization after the 2022 season.

Reader's Guide

Dayton Moore was the Kansas City Royals' general manager from 2006 until the end of the 2021 season. He was promoted to president of baseball operations in 2022 and was fired later that season. He is currently senior advisor of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers.