After graduating from the
University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1979, with a degree in
physical education, That year, the team made the postseason for the first time since the
1991 World Champion team and defeated the heavily favored
Oakland Athletics in the
2002 American League Division Series. After the
2002 season, the Twins organization was named Organization of the Year by
Baseball America and
SportsTicker, while Ryan was named Executive of the Year by
The Sporting News. In 2003, Ryan swapped outfielder
Bobby Kielty for accomplished veteran leadoff hitter
Shannon Stewart. This move was credited with jump-starting the team and enabling them to repeat as division champions. In November 2003, Ryan sent popular catcher
A. J. Pierzynski to the San Francisco Giants, gaining closer
Joe Nathan, and starting pitchers
Francisco Liriano and
Boof Bonser. Another strong trade occurred a month later, when Ryan sent starter
Eric Milton to the
Philadelphia Phillies for starter
Carlos Silva and infielder
Nick Punto. His most recent trades affecting the current team were in December 2005, when he received second baseman
Luis Castillo from the
Florida Marlins for two minor leaguers. He also traded pitcher
J.C. Romero to the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for
Alexi Casilla.
Notable trades • July 6, 1995: Traded closer
Rick Aguilera to the
Boston Red Sox for pitcher
Frank Rodriguez and a player to be named later. The Twins were able to re-sign Aguilera on December 11. • July 7, 1995: Traded pitcher
Scott Erickson to the
Baltimore Orioles for pitcher
Scott Klingenbeck and a player to be named later. • July 31, 1995: Traded pitchers
Kevin Tapani and
Mark Guthrie to the
Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder
Ron Coomer, pitchers
Greg Hansell and
José Parra, and a player to be named later. The Dodgers sent outfielder
Chris Latham to the Twins on October 30 to complete the trade. • August 29, 1996: Traded
Dave Hollins to the
Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later. On September 31, the Mariners sent
David Ortiz to the Twins to complete the trade. • August 20, 1997: Traded
Roberto Kelly to the
Seattle Mariners for players to be named later. On October 9, the Mariners sent the Twins future all-star
Joe Mays and a minor leaguer to complete the deal. • February 16, 1998: Traded second baseman
Chuck Knoblauch to the
New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder
Brian Buchanan, shortstop
Cristian Guzman, pitcher
Eric Milton, pitcher Danny Mota, and cash. • May 21, 1999: Traded
Rick Aguilera and Scott Downs to the Chicago Cubs for pitchers
Kyle Lohse and
Jason Ryan. • December 13, 1999: Under the
Rule 5 Draft, the Twins sent minor leaguer Jared Camp and cash to the Florida Marlins in exchange for future Cy Young Award winner
Johan Santana. • September 9, 2000: Traded pitcher
Héctor Carrasco to the
Boston Red Sox for outfielder
Lew Ford. • July 30, 2001: Traded outfielder
Matt Lawton to the
New York Mets for pitcher
Rick Reed. • July 12, 2002: Traded
Brian Buchanan to the
San Diego Padres for shortstop
Jason Bartlett. • July 16, 2003: Traded
Bobby Kielty to the
Toronto Blue Jays for
Shannon Stewart. • November 14, 2003: Traded catcher
A. J. Pierzynski and cash to the
San Francisco Giants. Received pitchers
Joe Nathan,
Francisco Liriano, and
Boof Bonser. • December 3, 2003: Traded pitcher
Eric Milton to the
Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher
Carlos Silva, infielder
Nick Punto, and a player to be named later (
Bobby Korecky). • December 2, 2005: Traded
Travis Bowyer and
Scott Tyler to the
Florida Marlins for second baseman
Luis Castillo. • December 9, 2005: Traded
J.C. Romero to the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for infielder
Alexi Casilla. • July 30, 2007: Traded second baseman
Luis Castillo to the
New York Mets for minor league prospects
Drew Butera (catcher) and Dustin Martin (center fielder).
Stepping down On September 13, 2007, it was announced that Ryan would be stepping down as general manager for the Twins after 12 seasons. He was replaced by assistant general manager
Bill Smith, but remained in the Twins organization as a senior adviser. On Monday, February 10, 2014, Ryan revealed that he had been diagnosed with and is being treated for carcinoma, and would miss spring training.
2016 firing Ryan was relieved of his general manager duties July 18, 2016. Assistant GM Rob Antony took over as interim general manager. In joining the Phillies as a scout in November 2016, Ryan was reunited with Andy MacPhail, the Phillies' president/baseball operations since October 2015. ==Honors and awards==