The Los Angeles Dodgers hired Ned Colletti as their general manager in 2005 and he has been with the organization ever since, all the while becoming a key figure in the franchise’s history.
Colletti worked as the general manager through the 2014 season and despite the limited resources given to him from then-owner Frank McCourt for the majority of his time, he was still able to run the team successfully.
Colletti had the highest win percentage of any National League general manager through his tenure and only had one losing season in his nine years running the club while reaching the postseason five times.
But now, Colletti is moving on from the Dodgers, and wished a farewell to the fans and organization after being in L.A. for 17 years.
With respect, gratitude and thanks… pic.twitter.com/78QE3aYUCM
— Ned Colletti (@realnedcolletti) April 7, 2022
Colletti began his baseball career with the Chicago Cubs in 1982 and worked there until he joined the San Francisco Giants in 1994 as the director of baseball operations before being promoted to assistant general manager two years later.
With the Dodgers, Colletti most notably was responsible for drafting Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager and Joc Pederson, signing Justin Turner, Yasiel Puig and Zack Greinke, and trading for the likes of Andre Ethier, Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez.
He reached 500 victories as a GM in 2011, accomplishing the feat in 953 games, which was faster than every general manager in Dodgers franchise history besides Buzzie Bavasi (895 games).
Colletti then transitioned to a role as the senior advisor to Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten, while additionally contributing as an analyst for SportsNet LA as well. He also has served as a scout for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks since 2019.
Colletti also began to work at Pepperdine University as an executive in residence for the sports administration. As part of the farewell message, Colletti said he will continue with the Sharks and at Pepperdine.
He was inducted into both the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.
Turner thanked Colletti for bringing him to Dodgers
After winning the 2020 World Series, the Dodgers held a special ceremony for employees to receive their rings last week, with a group including Jon SooHoo, Jorge Jarrín, Jaime Jarrín and Colletti.
Many would argue that one of Colletti’s best moves was signing Turner to a Minor League contract in 2014 after he was non-tendered by the New York Mets and became a free agent. After the ceremony, the 37-year-old took to Twitter to congratulate Colletti and thanked him for bringing him to the Dodgers.
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