TORONTO (AP) - Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey will leave the team when his contract expires at the end of the year.
"Now that the 2008 regular baseball season has come to an end, I believe it is appropriate to announce this decision in order to give ownership enough time to do a search to find a replacement in time for the start of 2009," Godfrey said Monday.A former newspaper publisher and municipal politician who helped bring major league baseball to Toronto in 1977, the 60-year old was hired as president on Sept. 1, 2000, when Rogers Communications bought the team from Interbrew SA.
Godfrey addressed the Blue Jays before their home finale last Thursday, informing them that manager Cito Gaston and general manager J.P. Ricciardi will return next year. Both men are under contract through the 2010 season.
The Blue Jays, who have failed to reach the playoffs since winning back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993, were 86-76 this year and finished fourth in the AL East. Toronto drew 2.4 million fans, the sixth consecutive season attendance has increased.
While president, Godfrey oversaw the purchase of Rogers Centre, formerly SkyDome, and helped lure the World Baseball Classic to Toronto. First-round games will be played at Rogers Centre next March.
