DAN DUQUETTE

'Daniel F. Duquette' is a former front-office executive in American Major League baseball. He was general manager of the Montreal Expos from September 1991 through January 1994 and the Boston Red Sox from that point through February 2002. He was fired from his general manager post in 2002 when John Henry bought the team from the Yawkey Trust, headed by John Harrington.
As a baseball executive, Dan Duquette successfully oversaw quick turnarounds during his tenure as GM of the Expos and Red Sox, expanding fan interest in both markets to record-breaking levels. As farm system director of the Expos from 1987 to 1991, Duquette helped build one of the most productive player development operations in the industry. After joining the Red Sox, he rebuilt the scouting staff and farm system from what was one of the least productive in the industry to one that has been the foundation of an elite franchise ever since.
Dan was twice honored as the Major League Baseball Executive of the Year, first by The Sporting News in 1992 with the Expos, and later by the Boston Baseball Writers Association in 1995 with the Red Sox.
A native of Dalton, Massachusetts, he attended Amherst College, where he was a catcher on the varsity baseball team. Duquette got his start in baseball as a scouting assistant with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1981 after a fellow Amherst alumnus, Harry Dalton, the Milwaukee general manager, saw his letter seeking employment in the game. During his seven seasons in Milwaukee, the team drafted future major leaguers Dale Sveum, John Jaha, BJ Surhoff and Gary Sheffield.
In 1988 he became Montreal's director of player development. In his three years in that role, the Expos drafted Marquis Grissom, Charles Johnson and Rondell White. Duquette replaced Dave Dombrowski as Expos' GM on September 19, 1991. After two seasons in Montreal — marked by Duquette's acqusition of elite pitcher Pedro Martínez from the Dodgers for second baseman Delino DeShields, one of the most one-sided trades of the time — Duquette became the general manager of his hometown Red Sox. Duquette is a life-long Red Sox fan.
Duquette's tenure in Boston was often marked by controversy. His administration was viewed as very intolerant to criticism and media-unfriendly and utilized the Internet to communicate directly with fans. He continually disputed with former Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy (who was abruptly fired in 1996) about the direction of the team and manager Jimy Williams over the coaching staff and center fielder Carl Everett. In 1996 Duquette also traded pitcher Jamie Moyer for outfielder Darren Bragg. Moyer went on to win 139 games in just over 9 seasons with the Mariners. As a reaction against Duquette's policies and personality, many agents and players refused to consider playing for the Red Sox.
Though frequently misquoted with saying that Roger Clemens was in the "twilight of his career" in 1996 when Clemens left as a free agent, Duquette actually said that he "had hoped to keep him in Boston during the twilight of his career". Subsequently, those who wrongly misinterpreted the quote often point out that Roger Clemens would go on to win four Cy Young Awards.
However, Duquette is also noted for several major acquisitions that would ultimately play a part in the team's 2004 championship, including acquiring Martínez in 1997 from Montreal, the trade for pitcher Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek and the free agent signings of Manny Ramirez in 2000 and Johnny Damon in December, 2001. Note that Duquette had nothing to do with the acquisition of David Ortiz in 2003, who many Boston fans believe was a key player in the Red Sox's World Series' drive and victory in 2004. After being fired in 2002 and publicly crying concerning his dismissal, Duquette started a Sports Academy for children in Hinsdale, Massachusetts. The academy is described by its website as "a sports training center for boys and girls ages 8-18 who are interested in learning baseball, softball, basketball and life skills from distinguished high school, college and professional coaches." [1]
Duquette is now working to start the Israel Baseball League after being appointed director of baseball operations. Duquettesports.com is advertising tryouts in August and Duquette will likely have a role in player assignment.
Duquette had a role in a Western Massachusetts community theatre production of ''Damn Yankees'', a play about the hated New York Yankees.
Duquette is also the president of the Pittsfield Dukes, a baseball team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
His cousin, Jim Duquette, is currently an executive with the Baltimore Orioles, having previously worked for the New York Mets. Dan Duquette was reportedly considered to replace his cousin as Mets' general manager, however, New York-native Omar Minaya got the job instead.

Contents

External links

External links

★ Dan Duquette Sports Academy

★ Baseball America Executive Database