The Best General Managers in Professional Sports

The molding of a successful professional sports franchise requires several components. You need above-average players, and an inspirational and knowledgeable coach. But, perhaps most importantly, you need a well-versed front office. After all, the management of a sports team brings in the players, and typically creates an organizational structure that every employee — from intern to star athlete — follows.

Some of the best at their job include:

RC Buford, San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs recently captured their third NBA title in the past seven seasons. While debate rages about whether this classifies them as “a dynasty” or not, here’s one issue not up for the debate: Buford is the most underrated management executive in professional sports. One of Buford’s greatest attributes is a realization that basketball is not simply an American game, and as evidenced by the 2004 Summer Olympics, other countries play it even better than we do. He scouts the globe instead of high school and collegiate gyms, which allowed him to bring in Manu Ginobili with a late second-round pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. Ginobili is arguably one of the league’s top off-guards now. Similarly, Buford acquired teenager wonder boy point guard Tony Parker from France. He’s made some shrewd in-season moves as well, notably his acquisition of Nazr Mohammed from the Knicks this past season; Mohammed filled in ably for San Antonio superstar Tim Duncan during his ankle injury, and even had some excellent playoff games. Buford also grabbed Robert Horry off the Lakers’ scrap heap last summer, and Horry became a key contributor to the Spurs this year. Like most good executives, Buford works hand-in-hand with Popovich to craft a team-first mentality shying away from individual stardom and rewarding hard work and necessary contributions; this system, which resonates across the entire organization, has allowed career journeyman Bruce Bowen to find a home in San Antonio and become one of the league’s most heralded defenders.

Theo Epstein, Boston Red Sox: Epstein, a “wunderkid” with a Yale degree who moved to the top of the Red Sox organization at age 28, crafted an ideal team structure for the supposedly “cursed” Red Sox. After emerging from a school of thought where sophisticated player analysis replaces the “gut feelings” of scouts — sabermetics — Epstein hired two premier sabermetricians to work for the Sox, Bill James and Voros McCracken. In 2003, when the sabermetrics movement really kicked off in Beantown, the Red Sox ended up leading the majors in most offensive categories, but losing the ALCS to their hated rivals, the Yankees, on a Game 7 homer by Aaron Boone. Epstein quickly dismissed manager Grady Little, replacing him with Terry Francona, and acquired All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling in the offseason. The Sox started hot, but faded in mid-summer, and Epstein pulled the trigger on a massive trade, sending Boston icon Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs. Also acquiring Dave Roberts, Epstein paved the way for Boston to finally break their curse in stunning fashion, rallying from 3-0 in the ALCS to beat the Yankees and then sweep the Cardinals.

Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens: There’s a debate in sports analysis circles whether the credit for Baltimore’s football teams should go to Newsome, a former tight end with the franchise, or Phil Savage, his assistant, recently hired as the GM in Cleveland. Until Savage puts together a winner in Ohio, we’ll give Newsome some credit here. He’s crafted one of the scariest defenses in NFL history, mostly through non-marquee draft picks. Ray Lewis, the cornerstone of Baltimore’s defensive approach, was drafted 26th overall, yet is universally discussed as one of the top linebackers of all time. The Ravens have never particularly distinguished themselves on offense, but this past offseason promoted former head coach Jim Fassel, a man known for offensive philosophy, to the position of offensive coordinator. Newsome works with head coach Brian Billick on acquiring dominant physical presences who fit into the mindset of consistently contending in Baltimore.

Jim Bowden, GM, Washington Nationals: Hired on a temporary basis until MLB sells the Nationals to its first Washington owners, Bowden has been a dynamo. The former Reds head man acquired troubled outfielder Jose Guillen, underrated SS Christian Guzman, and 3B Vinny Castilla in the offseason. Guillen has been a major contributor. Bowden also walks in lockstep with his on-field manager, Frank Robinson. When mid-level starter Tomo Ohka turned his back on Robinson and didn’t want to exit a game recently, Bowden had him traded to Milwaukee within 48 hours. In the process, he acquired Junior Spivey, who homered in his second game as a National. The surprising franchise is first in the NL East in their debut season in Washington.

Rick Sund, GM, Seattle Supersonics: Sund was recently resigned by the Sonics at $1.3 million per year, which noted NBA columnist Peter Vecsey referred to as “a steal.” Sund has managed to keep Nate McMillan, a former Sonics standout, in the fold for several years, peaking with the past season, when Seattle finished with the third-best record in the competitive Western conference. Sund jacked sharpshooting Ray Allen — also a leading community figure — from Milwaukee two years ago, and added bulk underneath with perennial rebounding leader Danny Fortson this past offseason. In the 2003 draft, Sund acquired Nick Collison and Luke Ridnour, both of whom contributed to the success of the 2004 Sonics in key game situations. Jerome James, a 7-1 center once considered to be languishing on the NBA’s scrap heap, had his career resurrected by Sund’s signing, and ended up being a major factor in the Sonics’ 2004 first-round playoff victory against the Sacramento Kings.

Rich McKay, GM, Atlanta Falcons: McKay led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the 2002 Super Bowl by creating a monster defense and a capable offense; he entered Atlanta and turned a middling team into one of the NFC’s best by surrounding sensational QB Michael Vick with some other options and upgrading the defense and special teams packages. With McKay, you get a feeling that no matter where he goes, he’ll find a way to be successful.

Scott Pioli, GM, New England Patriots: Pioli should be tops on this list. Two crucial facts about him: Head coach Bill Belicheck and him consult about almost all major decisions. And Tom Brady, the QB with three Super Bowl titles and a 9-0 career record in playoff games? Yea, him? Pioli got him in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.