Dick Williams calls it quits
The Cincinnati Reds may not be the first team that comes to mind when thinking of Major League Baseball, but they were a charter member of the American Association since 1882 and joined the National League in 1890. Despite their rich history, though, they have not been the most successful franchise in recent years.
The club last won the World Series back in 1990 and have not won a National League pennant since. Although, they do have three National League Central Division titles since but the last one came back in 2012 and they have only made the playoffs twice since then. It was time to make a change and nobody knew that better than the franchise’s president of operations Dick Williams.
Williams announced on Wednesday that it was time he step aside after nearly 15 years with the club to focus on his family and other endeavours.
“I don’t expect everyone to understand my choice, but my situation is unique,” Williams said, via MLB.com. “I have a family business — other than the Reds — that also means a lot to me. I have four young kids that I need to spend more time with. I have had an exhilarating 15 years and we have given our teams some great opportunities to win it all.
“The ultimate prize has eluded us, and I harbor more disappointment than anybody can possibly imagine but I have thrived on the thrill of the chase. Now I look forward to chasing other goals and aspirations using the platform of our family business.”
The Reds did reach the postseason for the first time since 2013 in 2020, finishing the shortened season with 31-29 record after going 11-3 to close out the campaign. However, they were swept in two games in the Wild Card Series by the Atlanta Braves.
According to the league’s website, it was a decision that had already been made back in August when Williams notified Reds’ CEO Bob Castellani. Williams originally joined the Reds when Castellani’s ownership group took control of the club in 2006. Williams spent a total of five seasons as president of baseball operations after originally being hired on as a director of baseball operations.
“Dick has been an integral part of the Reds’ success from our first days of ownership in 2006 through our postseason appearance in 2020,” Castellini said, via MLB.com. “He took the lead on modernizing every aspect of our baseball operations. Dick was the mastermind behind our incredible facility in Goodyear [Ariz.], drove advances in our scouting and player development systems, expanded our capacity for analytics and established our sports science departments, just to name a few.”
Williams does have a personal connection with the club as his father, Joe, and an uncle, Thomas, are minority shareholders in Castellini’s ownership group. Joe Williams is the club’s incumbent board chairman and Tom is vice-chairman and treasurer.
“The Reds will always be my first love,” Williams said. “I was weaned on Reds baseball — from the Big Red Machine to being arrested for running onto the field after clinching a World Series berth in 1990. To have had a small part in bringing postseason baseball back to town was rewarding. I loved the challenge of building the team and the staff each year and having a part in taking our organization in new directions. My hope is that I can continue to contribute from a distance in my role as owner and fan. Bob and David know where to find me.”
