TORONTO – With the Toronto Blue Jays riding high and prepping for the playoffs, Rogers Communications has named veteran baseball exec Mark Shapiro as president and CEO of the team and Rogers Centre, effective following the completion of the Jay's 2015 season.
Shapiro, (pictured), will take over the role from current president and CEO Paul Beeston, who is retiring at the end of this season. He will report directly to new Rogers Media president Rick Brace.
“Mark is a seasoned baseball veteran, whose leadership, drive for excellence, and commitment to all aspects of the game is impressive”, said Toronto Blue Jays chairman and Rogers Communications deputy chairman Edward Rogers, in Monday’s announcement. “We have confidence that he is the right person to lead the Toronto Blue Jays into the future and build upon the franchise’s legacy.”
Shapiro, 48, spent the past 24 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, the last five of which were as president. During his tenure with the ball club, the Indians appeared in the post-season eight times, including two World Series appearances. Following both the 2005 and 2007 seasons, Shapiro was named the Sporting News Executive of the Year; he was also named the Executive of the Year by Baseball America in 2005, and was named to the elite '40 under 40' by Sports Business Journal in 2006.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are a first-rate organization with outstanding leadership from Paul Beeston and a firm commitment from ownership to field a winning team”, added Shapiro. “I am excited to be part of the Rogers team and work with Guy Laurence and Rick Brace, and am honoured to be following in the footsteps of one of baseball’s greatest leaders, as I look to build on the franchise’s strong foundation and legacy in Canadian sport.”
