Built to win : inside stories and leadership strategies from baseball's winningest general manager

Lost two Cy Young winners in two years, signed a forty-seven-year-old to be his starting first baseman, played seventeen rookies in 2005, and still took his team to the playoffs: baseball is John Schuerholz's world, and everyone else is just playing in it. In Built to Win , the legendary general manager takes you behind the scenes of the Braves' front office—the most successful in baseball since 1990—and shows how his unique philosophies and leadership techniques have helped Atlanta achieve something no team in sports has ever come close to accomplishing. He candidly peels back the curtain, taking you to his first World Series with the Kansas City Royals and the other moments that defined his career, including his eventual departure to the league doormat Atlanta Braves. No sooner did Schuerholz arrive than they won their first title in 1991—and the rest is history. You'll be there on the incredible night in 1992 when Schuerholz improbably traded for Barry Bonds-only to have the deal nixed at the eleventh hour. You'll see how through shrewd negotiation he swooped in to sign reigning Cy Young-winner Greg Maddux out from under the free-spending Yankees. You'll hear how he dealt with the horrific comments made by John Rocker, helping the Braves overcome the biggest PR nightmare in team history to win yet another division crown. Through the eyes of one of the game's sharpest executives, you'll see why Moneyball only scrapes the tip of Schuerholz's time-tested theories, as well as how he developed the premier scouting system in the majors and a free agent strategy that led the Braves to the top of the heap-fourteen years running. And in the end, you'll see what the rest of the baseball world has known for the better part of two decades: that through the brilliance of John Schuerholz, the Braves have lived with one motto, and one motto alone: "All We Do Is Win." In 2005, the Atlanta Braves won their unprecedented 14th straight National League East title. Behind this success has been the genius of John Schuerholz, whose anti-Moneyball philosophies kept the Braves among the elite teams in baseball for over a decade. Now, Schuerholz reveals everything from how the Braves traded for Barry Bonds in the early '90s to dealing with John Rocker's hateful comments in 1999 to losing pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine to the recent acquisition of superstar Tim Hudson, and, against all odds, how he helped keep the Braves at the top of the baseball mountain. Offering a candid view inside one of the most incredible minds in all sports, this book will make baseball fans look at the game in a whole new way.--From publisher description He Lost Two Cy Young Winners In Two Years, Signed A 47-year-old To Be His Starting First Baseman, Played 17 Rookies In 2005, And Still Took His Team To The Playoffs. Baseball Is John Schuerholz's World--everyone Is Just Playing In It. Now, In Built To Win, The Legendary Manager Takes Readers Behind The Scenes Of The Most Successful Franchise In Recent History--and Shows How His Unique Philosophies And Leadership Have Helped The Atlanta Braves Achieve Something No Team Has Ever Come Close To Accomplishing. He Candidly Peels Back The Curtain, From His First World Series With The Kansas City Royals To His Departure For The Struggling Braves. No Sooner Did Schuerholz Arrive Than They Won Their First Title In 1991...and The Rest Is History. Summary:The general manager of the Atlanta Braves - the most successful baseball team of the last fifteen years - offers a startling behind-the-scenes look at the wheelings and dealings of Major League Baseball.-WorldCat