Terry Ryan

Lore & Background

Ryan attended George S. Parker High School in Janesville, and was drafted in the 35th round by the Minnesota Twins in 1972. He pitched briefly in the Twins organization in the mid-70s, posting a 10–0 record and 1.70 ERA in 43 games at Class A Wisconsin Rapids in 1973, but battled injuries and was released by the Twins' AA team in June 1976. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1979 with a degree in physical education, he was hired as a scout by the New York Mets in 1980, spent six seasons there, then returned to the Twins as scouting director for six years, later becoming vice president and player personnel director under general manager Andy MacPhail. When MacPhail left for the Chicago Cubs in 1994, Ryan was chosen to replace him.

In Their Own Story

The October air in the Metrodome tasted of recycled breath and cheap popcorn. Terry Ryan stood in the dugout, arms crossed, watching Mauer square up in the batter's box. The scoreboard glowed red: Twins 2, Red Sox 3, bottom of the ninth, two outs. The whole building held its breath in that particular way only a Minnesota October can—tense, almost reverent. Ryan didn't shout. He didn't pace. He just watched, jaw tight, the way he'd watched a hundred 6-5 games in Baltimore, in the minor leagues, in every ballgame that mattered. The pitch came. Mauer swung. The crack echoed off the dome's ceiling like a gunshot in a cathedral. Ryan uncrossed his arms, let out a breath he'd been holding for four innings, and nodded once. That single nod carried more weight than any speech. It said: this is how we play. This is who we are.

Reader's Guide

Ryan's tenure as general manager included notable trades: in 1995 he unloaded veterans Rick Aguilera, Scott Erickson, Mark Guthrie, and Kevin Tapani; in 1996 he traded Dave Hollins for David Ortiz; in 1997 he traded Roberto Kelly for Joe Mays; in 1998 he traded Chuck Knoblauch for Cristian Guzman and Eric Milton; in 1999 he traded Rick Aguilera for Kyle Lohse and acquired Johan Santana via Rule 5 Draft; in 2001 he traded Matt Lawton for Rick Reed; in 2002 he traded Brian Buchanan for Jason Bartlett; in 2003 he traded Bobby Kielty for Shannon Stewart and A. J. Pierzynski for Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser; in December 2003 he traded Eric Milton for Carlos Silva and Nick Punto; in December 2005 he acquired Luis Castillo and Alexi Casilla. The Twins made the postseason in 2002 for the first time since 1991 and defeated the Oakland Athletics in the 2002 American League Division Series. After the 2002 season, the Twins organization was named Organization of the Year by Baseball America and SportsTicker, while Ryan was named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News. He stepped down as GM on September 13, 2007, replaced by Bill Smith, but remained as senior adviser. He returned as interim GM on November 7, 2011, removed the interim tag on October 6, 2012, and was relieved of his duties on July 18, 2016.

Did You Know?

• Ryan was drafted in the 35th round by the Minnesota Twins in 1972.
• He posted a 10–0 record and 1.70 ERA in 43 games at Class A Wisconsin Rapids in 1973.
• He was named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News after the 2002 season.
• He returned as interim general manager on November 7, 2011, after Bill Smith was fired.