Ed Wade General Manager

On September 20, 2007, Ed Wade was named the 11th general manager in Houston Astros franchise history. Ed joined the Astros after two seasons as a professional scout for the San Diego Padres. A veteran of 31 major league seasons, Ed returned to the General Manager's seat after spending two years as a professional scout for the San Diego Padres. He previously served for eight seasons as the General Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies (1998-2005), having been named to that post on December 9, 1997. During his first off-season with the Astros, Ed has made significant changes to the Astros lineup. In December, he acquired four-time All-Star and 2002 American League Most Valuable Player Miguel Tejada from the Orioles in a six-player deal. Tejada has driven in 98 runs in seven of the last eight seasons. Also during this off-season, Ed acquired outfielder Michael Bourn and right-hander Geoff Geary from Philadelphia while also signing free-agent second baseman and Colorado Rockies postseason standout Kaz Matsui to a three-year deal. Ed has also strengthened the Astros bench this off-season, as in late December, Houston signed free-agent outfielder Darin Erstad, a former All-Star and Silver Slugger recipient as well as a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner. Free-agent infielder Geoff Blum was also signed, while infielder Mark Loretta agreed to arbitration, giving the Astros one of the strongest benches in the Majors heading into the 2008 season. Ed also made significant changes to the Houston bullpen, as All-Star closer Jose Valverde was acquired from Arizona in December. Valverde, who saved 47 games for NL West champion Arizona in 2007, anchors a new-look Houston bullpen that also includes new additions in Geary, free-agent right-hander Doug Brocail, and right-hander Oscar Villarreal, acquired from Atlanta via trade. Ed acquired a strong collection of talented players while with Philadelphia via draft, trades, and free agency. Under his watch, the Phillies drafted future All-Stars such as Chase Utley (also NL Silver Slugger in 2006), left-hander Randy Wolf, and left-hander Cole Hamels. Additionally, the last two National League MVP's were drafted and developed while Ed was the Phillies GM, 2006 NL Most Valuable Player and 2005 NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard (All-Star and Silver Slugger in 2006) and 2007 MVP and shortstop Jimmy Rollins. The club also drafted outfielder Pat Burrell (1998) and right-handed pitcher Brett Myers (1999) during Ed's tenure. The Phillies selected outfielder Burrell in 1998, who has hit 218 home runs for the club to date. Other Major Leaguers drafted or developed while Ed was the Phillies general manager include players such as Bourn, Ryan Madson, Carlos Ruiz, Johnny Estrada, Jason Michaels, Marlon Byrd, and Marlon Anderson. Additionally, the Phillies selected outfielder Shane Victorino in the Rule 5 Draft at the 2004 Winter Meetings. In his first full season as a starting outfielder in 2007, Victorino tied for 5th in the NL with 37 stolen bases (with Rollins) and hit .283 with 11 home runs. Ed also signed free-agent first baseman Jim Thome in the offseason preceding the 2003 season, who hit 106 home runs for Philadelphia from 2003-05. That same offseason, he acquired right-handed pitcher Kevin Millwood, who pitched a no-hitter for the Phillies and won 23 games in two seasons for the club, including 14 in 2003. During the offseason that followed the 2003 season, Ed acquired left-handed pitcher Billy Wagner from the Astros. Wagner appeared in the 2005 All-Star game for the Phillies and saved 59 games in two seasons for the club (2004-05). The 52-year-old began his baseball career in 1977 as an intern in the Phillies public relations department. In 1977, he was named public relations assistant for the Astros and was promoted to public relations director in 1979. In 1981, he left Houston to become the public relations director for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he remained with that club for five seasons. In 1986, Ed returned to Houston to work as an associate for Tal Smith Enterprises, a firm which has provided consulting services to 26 of the 30 Major League clubs. The most recognized functions have been in the preparation of arbitration cases, the financial appraisal of franchises, operational review, contract negotiations and other baseball-related matters. Ed worked for the company until May 5, 1989, when he rejoined the Phillies as assistant to the general manager. In 1995, he was promoted to assistant general manager, and he served in that role until assuming the general manager duties for Philadelphia in 1998. Ed is a 1977 graduate of Temple University, where he played baseball and received his bachelor's degree in journalism. In 2003, Ed received the Lew Klein Alumni in the Media Award and was inducted into the Temple University and School of Communications Hall of Fame. Ed was born on January 31, 1956 in Carbondale, PA. He is a member of the Northeastern chapter of the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame and was a member of the steering committee for the USA Baseball team that captured the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, a ballclub that included current Astros Adam Everett and Roy Oswalt. Ed and his wife Roxanne have three children. Ryan is a 2006 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is serving as an Ensign in the Navy. Erin graduated from Villanova University and is employed as the Executive Assistant to Villanova Men's Head Basketball Coach Jay Wright. Maureen is a communications major at West Virginia University.

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