Bill Smith (executive)

After graduating from Hamilton College, Bill Smith became one of the first participants in Major League Baseball's Executive Development Program. He then joined the Chicago White Sox organization as Assistant Director of Minor Leagues and Scouting for two years and then as the General Manager of the minor league Appleton Foxes. In 1986 he moved to the Minnesota Twins organization. With the the Twins he held many roles including: Assistant Director of Minor Leagues and Scouting, Director of Baseball Administration, and liaison to the construction of their spring training facility in Fort Myers, FL. He then served 13 years as assistant general manager behind Terry Ryan. In September of 2007 he was named General Manager of the Minnesota Twins, replacing Ryan who had stepped down to take an advisory role. After four seasons and two playoff appearances, but following a very trying season in 2011, Smith was replaced on an interim basis by his predecessor Ryan. However, he was brought back in the fold a couple of months later as an assistant to Ryan and to team President Dave St. Peter.

Preceded by Terry Ryan

Minnesota Twins General Manager 2007-2011

Succeeded by Terry Ryan

Significant Trades

• February 2, 2008 traded Johan Santana to the New York Mets for Carlos Gomez, Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra and Philip Humber