During his tenure as General Manager, Ash was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the team's baseball operations. He was instrumental in the development and acquisition of several key players, including Carlos Delgado, Shawn Green, and Roy Halladay, who would go on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball. Ash also made a number of significant trades and free agent signings, bringing in players such as Roger Clemens, who won the Cy Young Award in both of his seasons with the Blue Jays.
Despite these successes, Ash's tenure as General Manager was also marked by a number of challenges. The team struggled to consistently perform at a high level, and despite a winning record in 1998, the Blue Jays failed to make the playoffs during Ash's time as General Manager. Additionally, Ash faced criticism for some of his personnel decisions, including the signing of high-priced free agents who failed to live up to expectations.
In 2001, following a disappointing season, Ash was replaced as General Manager by J.P. Ricciardi. However, Ash remained in the baseball industry, joining the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2002. He initially served as the team's Assistant General Manager before being promoted to Vice President of Baseball Operations, a position he held until his retirement in 2015.
Throughout his career, Ash was known for his dedication to the sport and his commitment to building competitive teams. Despite the ups and downs of his tenure as General Manager of the Blue Jays, his impact on the team and on Major League Baseball as a whole is undeniable. His career is a testament to his passion for baseball and his ability to navigate the complex world of player development, trades, and contract negotiations.
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