Beattie - special adviser to GM?
By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer
Jim Beattie starts a new job with the Reds today. He hopes it leads to a very quick promotion.
Beattie, the former Baltimore Orioles general manager, has been hired by chief executive officer Bob Castellini as a special adviser to evaluate the club's pitching.
"I'm going to come in and take a look at what they've been doing," he said. "I'll take a look at the prospects in the system and the programs they have in place."
But Castellini said Beattie will be considered as the permanent replacement for GM Dan O'Brien, who was fired Monday.
"Yes, absolutely," Beattie said when asked if he's interested in the job.
Beattie, 51, nearly got the GM job in Boston when Theo Epstein was out of the picture temporarily.
He reportedly was the choice of CEO/President Larry Lucchino, but owner John Henry overruled Lucchino.
Oddly enough, that's how Beattie got to know Castellini.
"He's friends with Larry," Beattie said. "I got to know (Castellini) though Larry."
Beattie pitched nine seasons in the majors. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has an MBA from the University of Washington.
He spent six years as the Montreal Expos GM from 1995 to 2001. Prior to that, he spent six years as the Seattle Mariners director of player development.
He served as the Orioles' co-GM with Mike Flanagan from Dec. 4, 2002 through the end of this season. Beatty was forced out and Flanagan was given the sole title as GM.
E-mail
jfay@enquirer.com
Originally Posted by NewEraReds
