John A. “Jack” Zduriencik (pronounced /zɜrˈɛnsɪk/; born January 11, 1951 in New Castle, PA) is the General Manager of Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners. He has developed a reputation as a baseball executive who excels in finding, drafting, and developing talented young ballplayers.^[1]

[edit] Career

Jack Zduriencik began his career in professional baseball as a second baseman in the Chicago White Sox farm system. From 1973 to 1974, he spent time playing for both the Gulf Coast White Sox and the Appleton Foxes.^[2]

Following his playing career, Jack spent several years as a coach for both baseball and football. His coaching tour included stops at Austin Peay State University (1975-77), Clairton High School (PA, 1977-80), and Tarpon Springs High School (FL, 1980-82). ^[1]

Zduriencik returned to professional baseball in 1983. Successive roles involving scouting and player development comprised most of the next two-plus decades of his experience, as he spent time in the positions of:

• Area Scout, 1983 to 1989, New York Mets
• National Crosschecker, 1990 and 1994 to 1995, New York Mets
• Director of Scouting, 1991 to 1993, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Director of Minor League Operations, 1995 to 1998, New York Mets
• Special Assistant to the General Manager, 1998, New York Mets
• Director of International Operations, 1998 to 1999, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Director of Scouting, 1999 to 2006, Milwaukee Brewers
• Special Assistant to the General Manager, 2006 to 2008, Milwaukee Brewers
• Director of Amateur Scouting, 2006 to 2008. Milwaukee Brewers
• Special Assistant to the GM for Player Personnel, 2008, Milwaukee Brewers.^[1]

During this stretch of Zduriencik's career, he was able to help select and draft several eventually successful major league players. They include:

• Jason Kendall; Catcher; 1992 Amateur Draft, 23rd pick; three-time All-Star ^[3]
• Prince Fielder; 1B; 2002 Amateur Draft, 7th pick; All-Star, Silver Slugger Recipient, 50-HR season ^[4]
• Ryan Braun; OF; 2005 Amateur Draft, 5th pick; Rookie of the Year ^[5]

Zduriencik was so successful in Milwaukee that many observers felt that he deserved a large part of the credit for the Brewers' eventual return to playoff contention in 2008. Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin praised Zduriencik's efforts when he was quoted as saying:

"No doubt about it, he deserves almost all the credit for the young players we have. The players he has drafted are making an impact at the big league level." ^[6]

In recognition of his success with the Brewers, Baseball America made Zduriencik the first non-GM to receive their Major League Executive of the Year Award in 2007. ^[6]

In October 2008, following a dismal season and the firing of GM Bill Bavasi, the Seattle Mariners announced the hiring of Zduriencik as the franchise's new General Manager. Many critics hailed this as the correct move for an organization that had become the first team to ever lose 100 games while shouldering a player payroll of more than $100 million. ^[7]

At an October 2008 press conference following his hiring, Zduriencik got right to the point in introducing his philosophy going forward in Seattle:

“I'd love to have guys with good makeup and good character, committed to the city and the ballclub. But, when all is said and done, talent wins.”^[8]

One of Zduriencik's first moves was hiring Don Wakamatsu, the first Asian-American manager in MLB history. Next, during the MLB Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Zduriencik made a remarkable three-team, 12-player trade that sent star closer J.J. Putz to the New York Mets as well as prospect second baseman Luis Valbuena to the Cleveland Indians but netted outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez and first baseman Mike Carp, a prospect in the Mets Organization. During the beginning of spring training Zdurienck signed Mariners fan favorite Ken Griffey Jr. to a 1-year deal.

[edit] Education

Zduriencik earned a bachelor's degree in education at California University of Pennsylvania, followed by a master's degree in physical education at Austin Peay State University.^[1]

[edit] Personal

Jack is married to Debbie Zduriencik. They have one daughter, Kimberly.^[1]

[edit] References