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DD Martin · 07-02-2020, 06:03 PM

When I got up this morning I did expect what was going to happen would happen. My job in the Mariner front office was fairly recent as I had been hired as the Pro Player Development Director. The what you might ask? Well doesn't matter that title soon will not be mine for long.

As I was arrived in the spring training complex there was a certain buzz going around. Not one of those happy type things but one of shock. As I settled into my office at the complex, I talked to one of our scouts and he told me what was going on. It appears that our GM "Trader" Jerry DiPoto had just stepped down from the role as GM do to continuing health reasons. This was a complete surprise since we were just mere weeks away from Opening Day. News around the office was that Owner John Stanton was on his way down to Peoria to talk to the staff and come up with a plan to at least name an interim GM to keep the team focused on preparing for the opening of the 2020 season.

Later that afternoon, I was in a meeting with our Scouting Director Scott Hunter when I was asked to step out and come to the conference room. I excused myself and left not sure what was going on. As I stepped into the conference room there was the team owner. I had only met Mr. Stanton once right before I was hired. It was more of a formality but we spent about an hour talking player development and scouting. I thought I had made a good impression on him, but Jerry was the guy that hired me. Maybe I was going to be out since Jerry stepped down?

As I walked in Mr. Stanton gave me a look, greeted me and asked me to sit down. Then he asked the others in the room to leave. A lot of whispers among the folks leaving the room.

(Mr. Stanton was known as a fairly charitable type, that didn't meddle as much as a Steinbrenner would but more involved than the A's John Fisher. While he was charitable he had grown increasing impatient with the Mariner's lack of progress and had been pressuring the team's front office to make something happen. He had bought into the whole rebuild scenario but had seen the fans interest in Seattle diminish at the team continued to struggle.)

Stanton - I'll get right down to it Martin. Jerry has resigned as you have probably heard by now as the GM. We are only weeks away from the opening of the season and I need to get this ship steadied. I need someone with some youth and energy to get this franchise to get back to the late 90's and early 2000's team that capture the fans hearts. Winning Martin is what it takes to do that. Now as I look at your file, we signed you to a 3-year commitment in your current role. No matter what happens, I will honor that commitment.

DD Martin - Why thank you sir, I appreciate that.

Stanton - We will hold a press conference this evening announcing Jerry's official departure and your appointment as the interim GM of the team for the upcoming season.

DD Martin - (falling out of his chair) My what sir?

Stanton - Are you ok Martin? I need you to be on top of it son. This is a Billion and a half dollar enterprise and I am asking you to take over immediately as the GM. You will report directly to me as I will increase my involvement in the team.

DD Martin - (sitting back up in my chair) - Sir, I....I don't know what to say.

Stanton - Then I will say it for you (as he looks out onto the Peoria Field where the M's are playing the Royals in a spring game losing 7-3). After the game we will meet with Scott Servais and get everything set in motion. I need this front office and field management to pull together and get this team competitive sooner rather than later.

DD Martin - But sir, none of the experts feel that we will be a factor this year. They say we are years away from being in the playoffs.

Stanton - I realize that there is a lot of work to do. Jerry started this rebuild and well, I reluctantly bought in. Maybe that was a mistake, we shall see. I don't expect miracles Martin, but I want results that are promising for the not too distant future. We will get into this before we head up north for the season. But I want you to understand that you are now in control of this team. You make the deals, you sign the players and you organize the whole system. You got that Martin?

DD Martin - Yes Mr. Stanton

Stanton - And Martin, if we are going to work together you need to start calling me John. Now get to work on building me and the city of Seattle a winner!

DD Martin - You got it, Mr.....err John

And thus begins the GM career of DD Martin. Taking over a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2001.

07-02-2020, 06:03 PM	#1
DD Martin All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 1,002	Seattle Mariners - Ending the Drought When I got up this morning I did expect what was going to happen would happen. My job in the Mariner front office was fairly recent as I had been hired as the Pro Player Development Director. The what you might ask? Well doesn't matter that title soon will not be mine for long. As I was arrived in the spring training complex there was a certain buzz going around. Not one of those happy type things but one of shock. As I settled into my office at the complex, I talked to one of our scouts and he told me what was going on. It appears that our GM "Trader" Jerry DiPoto had just stepped down from the role as GM do to continuing health reasons. This was a complete surprise since we were just mere weeks away from Opening Day. News around the office was that Owner John Stanton was on his way down to Peoria to talk to the staff and come up with a plan to at least name an interim GM to keep the team focused on preparing for the opening of the 2020 season. Later that afternoon, I was in a meeting with our Scouting Director Scott Hunter when I was asked to step out and come to the conference room. I excused myself and left not sure what was going on. As I stepped into the conference room there was the team owner. I had only met Mr. Stanton once right before I was hired. It was more of a formality but we spent about an hour talking player development and scouting. I thought I had made a good impression on him, but Jerry was the guy that hired me. Maybe I was going to be out since Jerry stepped down? As I walked in Mr. Stanton gave me a look, greeted me and asked me to sit down. Then he asked the others in the room to leave. A lot of whispers among the folks leaving the room. (Mr. Stanton was known as a fairly charitable type, that didn't meddle as much as a Steinbrenner would but more involved than the A's John Fisher. While he was charitable he had grown increasing impatient with the Mariner's lack of progress and had been pressuring the team's front office to make something happen. He had bought into the whole rebuild scenario but had seen the fans interest in Seattle diminish at the team continued to struggle.) Stanton - I'll get right down to it Martin. Jerry has resigned as you have probably heard by now as the GM. We are only weeks away from the opening of the season and I need to get this ship steadied. I need someone with some youth and energy to get this franchise to get back to the late 90's and early 2000's team that capture the fans hearts. Winning Martin is what it takes to do that. Now as I look at your file, we signed you to a 3-year commitment in your current role. No matter what happens, I will honor that commitment. DD Martin - Why thank you sir, I appreciate that. Stanton - We will hold a press conference this evening announcing Jerry's official departure and your appointment as the interim GM of the team for the upcoming season. DD Martin - (falling out of his chair) My what sir? Stanton - Are you ok Martin? I need you to be on top of it son. This is a Billion and a half dollar enterprise and I am asking you to take over immediately as the GM. You will report directly to me as I will increase my involvement in the team. DD Martin - (sitting back up in my chair) - Sir, I....I don't know what to say. Stanton - Then I will say it for you (as he looks out onto the Peoria Field where the M's are playing the Royals in a spring game losing 7-3). After the game we will meet with Scott Servais and get everything set in motion. I need this front office and field management to pull together and get this team competitive sooner rather than later. DD Martin - But sir, none of the experts feel that we will be a factor this year. They say we are years away from being in the playoffs. Stanton - I realize that there is a lot of work to do. Jerry started this rebuild and well, I reluctantly bought in. Maybe that was a mistake, we shall see. I don't expect miracles Martin, but I want results that are promising for the not too distant future. We will get into this before we head up north for the season. But I want you to understand that you are now in control of this team. You make the deals, you sign the players and you organize the whole system. You got that Martin? DD Martin - Yes Mr. Stanton Stanton - And Martin, if we are going to work together you need to start calling me John. Now get to work on building me and the city of Seattle a winner! DD Martin - You got it, Mr.....err John And thus begins the GM career of DD Martin. Taking over a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2001.