Gillick named Phillies GM

Former Blue Jays architect Pat Gillick is the new general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Gillick was introduced at a press conference on Wednesday. He replaces Ed Wade, fired Oct. 10 after the team finished 88-74 and out of the playoffs for the eighth year in a row.

"I'm very honored to be a part of the Phillies, an outstanding franchise," Gillick said. "We need to get over the hump and I look forward to that exciting challenge. I still have the passion and the competitive edge for the game and I think this is a very good situation."

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, he won out over former Houston Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, Cleveland Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti and Phillies assistant GMs Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mike Arbuckle.

"His record of success is outstanding and I believe that Pat is the right person to lead our baseball operations," Phillies president David Montgomery said. "I'm very excited that he has decided to join us, and I look forward to working with him."

As GM of Toronto, Gillick won five AL East pennants (1985, 1989, 1991-93), topped by consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.

The latter championship came at the expense of the Phillies and featured Joe Carter's memorable series-clinching home run off Mitch Williams.

Gillick spent the past two seasons as special consultant to Bill Bavasi, who succeeded him as Seattle Mariners GM following a four-year stint.

Gillick's Mariners advanced to the American League championship series in 2000 and 2001, losing both to the New York Yankees.

They also tied a major-league record with 116 victories in 2001.

The 68-year-old also reached the ALCS as GM of the Baltimore Orioles in 1996 and 1997.

with files from Sports Network and Associated Press