Brian Sabean |
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Brian Sabean is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the San Francisco Giants, a Major League Baseball franchise. He has held the job since 1997, when he replaced former General Manager Bob Quinn. Though some of Sabean's moves have been strongly criticized by Giants fans and the media, the team has had a winning record eight of the twelve seasons he has been General Manager. Prior to his tenure, the team had suffered losing seasons in five out of six years. He was recently signed by the Giants to a two year contract extension. He is a native of Concord, New Hampshire.
Sabean's 11 years as the Giants' general manager is the longest run by a general manager in the club's history, surpassing Spec Richardson (seven seasons, 1975–81), Al Rosen (seven seasons, 1986–92) and Tom Haller (five seasons, 1981–85). Sabean has the second-longest tenure with the same club among active general managers, only behind San Diego's Kevin Towers (12 years). Under his leadership, the Giants have won a National League pennant (2002), three NL West Division flags (1997, 2000 and 2003), been a Wild Card entry (2002) and forced a Wild Card tie-breaker game with Chicago in 1998. On two other occasions, the club was eliminated from post season contention on the last day of the season. He has guided the club to four post season berths - the club's most in an 11-season span since 1915–25. As of July 13, 2007, Sabean owns the ninth-highest winning percentage (.544, 927–777) among all general managers since 1950.
Sabean attended Concord High School and Eckerd College (of St. Petersburg, Florida), playing with former major leaguer Joe Lefebvre on both school's baseball teams. Prior to starting his scouting career, Sabean coached the University of Tampa (D-II) to the NCAA Regional Tournament. He held the job of head coach with UT from 1983 to 1984 - following serving as assistant coach from 1980–1982. Sabean began his involvement in Major League Baseball as a scout, and previously worked in the New York Yankees organization. With the Yankees, he drafted or signed as amateurs the likes of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, J.T. Snow, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte. Prior to his appointment to GM in 1996, Sabean served one season as the Giants' senior vice president, player personnel in 1995 after a three-year stint as an assistant to the general manager and vice president of scouting/player personnel.