On Friday, Alex Anthopoulos will participate in the parade of his Braves through the streets of Atlanta. Then, the next day, he will start to look at his training for the 2022 season.
“I appreciate every minute,” however assured the Montreal general manager of the World Series champions.
But Anthopoulos does not seem to dwell too long on the successes. Before this ultimate title, he was named manager of the year at the end of his last season with the Blue Jays, in 2015.
“And if I had to choose two things to accomplish in a career, it would probably be these two,” he said, in an interview with the Quebec media, Thursday afternoon. Now the question is just whether I can do it again. ”
If the CEO doesn’t live in the past, he doesn’t look very far into the future either. Sports leaders live on ejection seats, he is well aware of that.
If I’m still employed in 10 or 12 years, it will be an incredible career. I have never looked so far ahead. I have always worked with a certain sense of urgency. And I would even say out of fear. Not to lose my job, but to fail. In my work, you feel the pressure of having to be successful for the fans.
Alex Anthopoulos
Tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday – although he has been vaccinated – Alex Anthopoulos will be alone in his car for the parade.
“But at least I’m going to be a part of it and that’s really important to me. ”
Prince fielder
On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves eliminated the Houston Astros in six games, securing the trophy on their opponents’ field.
And this triumph, they owe it in large part to their boss. Following the loss of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Marcell Ozuna during the season, Alex Anthopoulos acquired Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler and Joc Pederson. All have contributed to the success of the club.
“But to trade for players who will be MVP of the National championship [Rosario], then World Series [Soler], you can’t know it’s going to happen, said Anthopoulos humbly. You hope they play well, but it’s really amazing what they did for us. ”
Nevertheless, the CEO reacted and his proactivity paid off.
It must be said that the sixth sense of Alex Anthopoulos does not date from yesterday. Young recruiting coordinator for the Montreal Expos, in 2002, he saw Prince Fielder in his soup. That year, the Expos were fifth overall in the draft. Instead, they opted for a certain Clint Everts.
Does it ring a bell ? Normal. The right-handed gunner never threw a ball in the majors.
Fielder was chosen two ranks later. He has hit over 300 home runs and produced over 1000 points…
Turning
Alex Anthopoulos was already an inspiration in the Quebec baseball world, but his popularity now transcends the stadiums. He is proof that you can be successful in professional sport by arriving a bit late in your twenties. By being both a self-made man and one outsider.
Read Katherine Harvey-Pinard’s article on her journey
Being seen as a role model does not leave him indifferent.
“I am very touched by it. I don’t think I fully realize it, but at the same time, I’m blown away by it, ”he dropped.
If he had to give advice to young people, it would be as follows.
“Do something you love. Be humble. Be good teammates.
“If you like what you’re doing, you will probably be good and you will improve. If you have the humility, people will want to work with you. And if you are good teammates, people will want to help you on your journey as well. ”
His career, he would never have considered it so rich, he said. But he had a lot of help.
On his arrival at the Expos in the early 2000s, he notably names the director of recruiting Dana Brown, Claude Delorme – “the first person who took my call and who gave me the direct line of Jim Beattie” – and General Manager Omar Minaya.
And there have been others, in Toronto, Los Angeles, Atlanta.
A turning point?
After my fifth year with the Jays, everything changed for me. I remember at the end of 2014, I thought I’d make big changes, and we won in 2015.
Alex Anthopoulos
The following year, however, he left for Los Angeles. And five years later, here he is with a championship ring, at his 10e season as general manager.
The return of baseball to Montreal
Anthopoulos began to follow the Expos assiduously at the age of 15. When Felipe Alou took over from the unmistakable Tom Runnells and the team became competitive again.
“That period, for me, was Delino DeShields, then Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero. These were my three players. And I remember how upset I was when DeShields was traded [contre Martinez]. I was furious! ”
But he ended up accepting the exchange and becoming a big fan of Pedro. Like many Montrealers.
As for a possible return of Major League Baseball to Montreal …
“I’m going to be really excited if this happens. Either way, if baseball can come back to Montreal, that would be amazing for the city, for the league, and even for the Blue Jays, said Alex Anthopoulous. You have to start somewhere and I hope it will happen. ”
There is no question of dreaming of a job in the metropolis, however. Anthopoulos describes himself as a loyal man. And he is treated well by the organization of the Atlanta Braves, which had extended his contract halfway through the four seasons he had signed for.
These Braves whom, like thousands of Expos fans, he admits he once hated!