Kevin Towers was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over three decades. He began his career as a pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization in the late 1970s, but his true calling was in the front office. Towers quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Padres' scouting director in 1985 and their general manager in 1995.
During his tenure as GM, Towers oversaw a period of sustained success for the Padres. He built a team that won four National League West titles in a five-year span from 1996 to 2000, culminating in a trip to the World Series in 1998. Towers was known for his shrewd trades and signings, bringing in players like Kevin Brown, Trevor Hoffman, and Tony Gwynn Jr. that helped the Padres become a perennial contender.
After leaving the Padres in 2009, Towers took over as GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He inherited a team that had finished last in the NL West the previous year, but quickly turned them into a playoff contender. In 2011, the Diamondbacks won the division with a 94-68 record, thanks in large part to Towers' acquisitions of players like J.J. Putz, Ryan Roberts, and Gerardo Parra.
Towers' time in Arizona was not without controversy, however. He was criticized for some of his moves, such as trading away Justin Upton and signing Cody Ross to a three-year, $26 million contract. The Diamondbacks also struggled in the years following their division title, finishing below .500 in each of the next three seasons.
Despite these setbacks, Towers remained a respected figure in the baseball world. He was known for his outgoing personality and his willingness to take risks in pursuit of success. He was also a mentor to many young executives, including current Padres GM A.J. Preller.
Towers' career came to a tragic end in 2016, when he passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer. He left behind a legacy as one of the most successful and influential executives in recent MLB history.
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