OAKLAND -- Billy Beane, who two years ago reinvented an Oakland A’s club that has posted 190 wins and back-to-back AL West Division titles over the past two seasons, has been named Baseball America’s 2013 Major League Baseball Executive of the Year. It marks the second time Oakland’s vice president and general manager has won the publication’s award, as he also was named Executive of the Year in 2002.
Following a 74-88 season in 2011, Beane directed a major overhaul to the A’s roster in 2012 by trading away three All-Star pitchers (Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey) to acquire numerous young players who have played prominent roles in the A’s resurgence.
He also added Jed Lowrie via trade prior to last season and the veteran switch-hitter became one of the best hitting shortstops in the American League. Despite featuring one of the league’s lowest payrolls, Oakland registered a 96-66 record this past season in making its second straight playoff appearance. The 2012 club claimed the divisional flag on the final day of the regular season, finishing one game ahead of Texas with a 94-68 mark by beating the Rangers in Game 162.
Besides his Baseball America honors, Beane has also been selected The Sporting News’ Executive of the Year twice, in 1999 and 2012.
Courtesy Oakland A's media services
