Ryan resigns as Twins GM

Sep 13, 2007, 16:35 GMT

Minneapolis, MN - The Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan announced his resignation at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

Ryan, who will be succeeded by assistant Bill Smith, will stay with the club as senior advisor in the scouting department.

'This is a good thing for me,' said Ryan. 'My health's intact, my marriage is intact. That's a difficult thing to do in baseball. I'm not going to leave this organization, which is another good thing.'

Ryan is completing his 13th season as Twins general manager, a post he has held since September of 1994. He had been the club's vice president of player personnel for three years before becoming the team's fourth GM.

During Ryan's tenure as general manager, the Twins won the American League Central title in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. He began his pro baseball career in 1972 as a pitcher in the Twins' organization and had a record of 14-3 in four minor league seasons before an arm injury cut his career short.

Smith has been a part of the franchise for the past 22 seasons, including the last 13 as Ryan's assistant.

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