The Orioles today announced that they have hired veteran baseball executives LEE THOMAS as Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and FRED FERREIRA as Executive Director of International Recruiting.
Thomas brings over five decades of experience in professional baseball, highlighted by Executive of the Year honors in 1993 after leading the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series as General Manager. Thomas served as GM of the Phillies from June 1988 through December 1997 but spent the majority of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He worked for the Cardinals in several capacities over 18 years from 1970-1988, ending with eight years as Director of Player Development. Over that span the Cardinals went to the World Series three times, in 1982, 1985 and 1987. Thomas played eight seasons of major league baseball from 1961-68 with the New York Yankees, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. An outfielder and first baseman, Thomas was named to the American League All-Star team in 1962.
Most recently, Thomas worked as a pro scout for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2004-2006. Prior to that time he worked for six seasons as Special Assistant to the General Manager and Assistant General Manager for the Red Sox, working closely with DAN DUQUETTE the majority of those years.
Ferreira has over four decades of experience in professional baseball operations and worked as Vice President and Director of International Operations and Scouting for the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins. He also served as Director of International Operations and Scouting for the Yankees and Cincinnati Reds and scouted for the Angels. Ferreira also has managerial experience, spending two seasons (1986-87) as the manager of the Yankees’ Gulf Coast League affiliate and managing in the Dominican Winter Leagues. He opened the Yankees’ Dominican Academy, the first of its kind among major league organizations and worked for two World Series championship teams, the Cincinnati Reds (1979) and Florida Marlins (2003).
Ferreira’s claim to fame and his nickname “The Shark of the Caribbean” lie in his ability to find talent in Latin America. To date, he has had 57 signees reach the Major Leagues, highlighted by stars VLADIMIR GUERRERO, BERNIE WILLIAMS, ORLANDO CABRERA, JOSE VIDRO, ROBERTO KELLY and JAVIER VAZQUEZ.
“I am pleased to bring these two quality, veteran baseball men to the Orioles organization,” said Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE. “Lee will assist me in communications with other clubs regarding trades and also will provide key input regarding our player development. Fred’s experience in international scouting for first division teams is critical as we expand the Orioles’ international recruiting efforts. The track records of these men speak for themselves and I look forward to having them on our staff.”
