The Cleveland Indians’ president is leaving to take on a similar position with the Toronto Blue Jays. Mark Shapiro’s move caps off nearly a quarter century’s work with The Tribe.
Shapiro began with the team in 1992, as an assistant in baseball operations. He’s held a number of positions since, leading to his final one as president. He was named baseball’s Executive of the Year twice in the past decade, and was also the Indians’ general manager from 2001 to 2010. The Indians made the playoffs twice in that time.
But now Shapiro is moving on to become president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. Speaking to reporters, he denied that the Blue Jay’s greater financial standing had any part in his decision.
“Every situation has its own set of challenges," Shapiro said. "They play in division with the Yankees and Red Sox. So I don’t think that you can look at pure payroll as a driver for the decision. It truly is a leadership position that I feel is a unique one. Just an incredibly different place that I think’s going to afford us and me a chance to grow and develop.”
Indians’ owner, Paul Dolan, says he has no immediate plans to find a replacement for Shapiro.