San Diego Padres Port was born in
Fallbrook, California. After attending
United States International University in
San Diego, Port entered baseball in
1969 as a
minor league second baseman for the newly born
San Diego Padres of MLB, but after an injury, he retired to become an executive in the Padre organization. In
1973 he became the club's
farm system director and moved to the Angels in a similar capacity in
1978.
California Angels Port was also adept at the business side of baseball, and in
1980, he was promoted by the Angels to vice president and chief administrative officer. He succeeded
Buzzie Bavasi, his boss in both
San Diego and
Anaheim, as the Angels' general manager late in 1984. After just falling short of winning the
American League West Division title in
1985, the
1986 Angels finished first in their division and led three games to one in the
1986 ALCS; they were one out from their first AL title before the Red Sox started a comeback that ended their pennant hopes. After that disappointment, the Angels, with several veteran players nearing the end of their careers, contended only in
1989. During the 1991 campaign—in which the Angels finished seventh and last in their division, despite a record of 81-81 (.500)—Port was dismissed. an annual training ground inaugurated by MLB designed for the elite prospects of all member clubs, then joined the Red Sox as assistant general manager in February
1993. Three years later, he was promoted to the club's post of vice president, baseball operations. In February 2002, immediately after
John W. Henry,
Tom Werner and
New England Sports Ventures took control of the Red Sox, Port was named acting GM. Despite 93 regular-season wins, and Port's midseason acquisition of
outfielder Cliff Floyd, Boston finished second in the
AL East and missed the Wild Card. With the appointment of
Theo Epstein as Boston's general manager in November 2002, Port resumed his former role. He survived a
heart attack, and continued to serve as the Red Sox' VP, baseball operations through the club's
2004 World Championship.
Major League Baseball On August 1, 2005, he was named as Major League Baseball's vice president of umpiring and served in that capacity for six seasons. He formerly served as a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Sports Officials. During the 2016 National League Championship Series and World Series, he served as a
rules analyst for FOX Sports. ==References==