Dick Williams Promoted to Reds General Manager

Cincinnati Reds executive Walt Jocketty today announced Dick Williams has been promoted to Senior Vice President, General Manager. He will assume those duties immediately. Jocketty will remain the club's President of Baseball Operations and will continue to oversee the department.

Jocketty said, "As is the case with any business, it's critical to have a succession plan in place. Dick has been here for 10 years, he's learned the business, and we are confident he is ready to take on the GM responsibilities."

Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said, "Eight seasons ago we trusted Walt to provide this organization with leadership, and he produced championship-caliber teams. Walt reset the expectations and culture of this franchise. He and his staff have been responsible for our return to the postseason in recent years and I know Dick has the qualities and ability to continue that tradition of success in the future. As a small market team, we will always continue to look for ways to innovate. As we have done in recent years, the Reds will continue to work harder and smarter to make up for our relatively limited resources."

Williams said, "I am very grateful for and humbled by this opportunity that Bob and Walt have given me. I believe my promotion is a reflection on the entire team that works behind the scenes to support our efforts. Walt has been a great resource to me and I look forward to our continued collaboration."

Williams, 44, joined the Reds' baseball operations department following the 2005 season and since then has been involved in every aspect of that department. He served the organization as Director of Baseball Business Operations and Vice President of Baseball Operations before he became Vice President, Assistant General Manager in November of last year.

Jocketty, 64, was hired as a special advisor to Castellini in January 2008 and then in April of that year was named President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. He led the Reds to three postseason appearances, including National League Central Division championships in 2010 and 2012 and the 2013 Wild Card game. In franchise history, that stretch of 3 playoff appearances in 4 seasons is matched only by the Big Red Machine teams that went to the playoffs six times.

Jocketty has spent 41 seasons in professional baseball, the last 21 years as a Major League general manager. Three times since 2000 he was voted by his peers Major League Baseball's Executive of the Year, most recently in 2010 after leading the Reds to their first playoff appearance in 15 seasons.

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