Mark ShapiroPresident and CEO

Culture is everything. We're trying to build something sustainable and meaningful. That starts with caring about people—our players, our staff, and our fans. I try to lead by supporting others, building trust, and helping everyone grow. I don't change who I am when I walk into the building—I'm the same person as a leader, partner, and father.

I'm the main point of contact with Rogers, our owner, making sure they're informed and aligned with what we're doing. I also sit on MLB committees, which gives me the chance to help shape the future of baseball—something I care deeply about after 34 years in the game.

It's changed everything. We went from one person in R&D to over 15. But it's not just about hiring analysts. It's about creating a culture where people use the data in real ways. The goal isn't credit—it's to make the best decisions. When that happens, the data becomes powerful.

It's a big part of the process. We want players who are good teammates, who lift others, and care about winning, not just personal stats. The impact one bad personality can have on a young team is huge, so we're careful. In a strong clubhouse, you can take more risks, but culture always comes first.

You can't simulate the pressure of the majors. In Triple-A, you're chasing the dream. In the big leagues, you're being watched every day. The pressure, the expectations, the public stats—it's all very real. Staying in the majors is the hardest thing in pro sports.

It's night and day. Back then, we fed players soup and crackers from the same cage their laundry got washed in. Now, we provide world-class resources—nutrition, sleep, mental coaching, strength training. Every player is treated like a pro. It's about giving them every chance to reach their full potential.

We give them tools to handle pressure—mental performance coaches, better recovery spaces, healthier routines. But it's still hard. The game is built on failure, and now with social media, it's even more intense. We focus on creating an environment where they can just focus on competing and being part of something special.

You can't let your self-esteem go up and down with public opinion. If you do, you won't last. I stay grounded in who I am—dad, partner, leader—and I remind myself that critics aren't doing the work. I respect the people in the ring, not those on the sidelines throwing darts.

The goal is to win. We don't operate in a world where one player makes or breaks a team. We'd love to keep elite talent, but it's a two-way relationship. We're always trying to build a team that can win, and that takes balance. Negotiations are complex and mostly private for a reason.

It can. Growing up in a clubhouse, being around the game, learning how to handle media and pressure—all of that helps a young player transition more smoothly. It's not everything, but it removes some of the biggest distractions new players face.

Guys who make other people better. Leaders. Good teammates. People like Sean Casey, who we once traded and I always regretted it. He made everyone's day better just by showing up. That's real leadership in baseball—it's not about speeches, it's about being consistent every single day.

The Bartolo Colón trade. We got Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Phillips. At the time, people thought I was crazy. But those players became stars, and it showed how valuable prospects could be. That deal really changed how people saw rebuilding.

Letting Sean Casey go. I wasn't the GM, but I wish I'd fought harder to keep him. He had a special energy and made the grind of 162 games better for everyone. That kind of presence is rare in a clubhouse.

I remind myself every day that I'm lucky. I've been in baseball for over 30 years. I don't see myself as more important than anyone else—I'm just someone who loves the game and gets to be part of it. I try to laugh, enjoy it, and stay focused on the work.

You have to love the grind. Baseball is tough. It'll humble you. So you have to laugh, have fun, and support the people around you. If you can't do that, the job will wear you down.

Buddy Black once told me, "You've got to have fun." This game will grind you into the ground if you don't find joy in it. So I try to lead with gratitude and positivity—because this is still the best job in the world.