Derek Jeter announced he is stepping down as CEO and shareholder of the Miami Marlins, ending four years of mild success. In his tenure as CEO, the Marlins made the playoffs once (in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, so does that really count?), but was really a non-contender during the rest of his time there. Now clearly not all of this is Jeter’s fault, as his desire to win was met by an ownership group whose primary goal was to make money. But as star athlete turns into the front office goes, this definitely was not a successful term in office.
Derek Jeter joins the following list of athletes who were All-Stars in their respective sport, but failed in any type of management role, whether on the field/court or in the front office.
Michael Jordan
The world knows who Michael Jordan is. Entrepreneur, movie star, arguably the greatest basketball player who ever lived. What Michael Jordan isn’t is a successful executive. Jordan became part-owner and president of basketball operations of the Washington Wizards in 2000. In his short year and a half tenure there before un-retiring a second time, the Wizards failed to make the playoffs in his one full season, and the player he selected as the number one overall pick, Kwame Brown, is considered one of the greatest busts in NBA history. Jordan returned to the league in 2006, becoming part-owner and president of basketball operations of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets). In 16 seasons, the Hornets have made the playoffs just three times, and never in consecutive seasons. The Hornets also boast the lowest win percentage in a season in league history in the strike-shortened 2011-12 season.
John Elway
John Elway may be a controversial pick to this list, as his Denver Broncos have won five division titles and a Super Bowl during his tenure. But during the non-Peyton Manning years, Elway’s Broncos have been less than successful. The team failed to get to double-digit wins in each of those seasons (2010 and 2016-2021). Since Manning’s departure in 2016, Elway has failed to find a steady quarterback. Without Manning, Elway’s tenure would surely be considered a failure.
Bart Starr
Bart Starr led the Green Bay Packers to the first two Super Bowl championships as a player. However, from 1975 to 1980, as head coach and GM of the Packers, Starr was much less successful. He finished with a meager 31-57-2 record and zero playoff appearances in six seasons as coach/GM.
Ted Williams
Ted Williams as a baseball player is arguably the greatest hitter who ever lived. Ted Williams as a manager, not so much. Williams managed the second coming of the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers from 1969 until 1972, finishing each year worse than the previous season. Williams finished 89 games under .500 in his four years, never finishing higher than fourth in the AL West.
Now, is this to say that Derek Jeter won’t ever be a successful executive? In the right situation, Jeter’s passion and knowledge of the game of baseball would be a great fit. Maybe make him the heir apparent to Brian Cashman in New York and let him learn the ropes of being a general manager/director of baseball operations. You know the fans of New York will give him all the support he wants (until they start losing).
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