Walt Jocketty is a former Major League Baseball executive who had a successful career spanning over three decades. He began his career in baseball as a minor league player in the mid-1960s, but his playing career was cut short due to an injury. He then transitioned to the front office, starting as a minor league administrator for the Oakland Athletics in 1974.
Jocketty quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the assistant general manager for the A's in 1980. He played a key role in the team's success during the early 1980s, which included three consecutive World Series appearances and a championship in 1989. Jocketty then moved on to become the general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1994.
During his tenure with the Cardinals, Jocketty built a team that was consistently competitive and made the playoffs seven times in his 13 years as GM. He was known for his ability to make shrewd trades and sign key free agents, including Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, and Chris Carpenter. Jocketty's most notable move was acquiring Albert Pujols in the 13th round of the 1999 draft, who went on to become one of the greatest players in Cardinals history.
Jocketty left the Cardinals in 2007 and became the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He quickly turned the team around, leading them to the playoffs in his second year on the job. Jocketty's tenure with the Reds was marked by a focus on building a strong farm system and developing young talent. He also made key acquisitions, such as trading for Mat Latos and signing Aroldis Chapman.
Jocketty retired from his position as Reds GM in 2016, but he remains involved in baseball as a special advisor to the CEO of the Boston Red Sox. Throughout his career, Jocketty was known for his ability to build winning teams and his dedication to the game of baseball. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
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