Seattle Mariners President Kevin Mather announced today that Jerry Dipoto (dih-POH-toe) has been named the Mariners new Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations. A news conference introducing Dipoto to the Seattle media will be held tomorrow.

“Jerry impressed us at each step of the process,” Mather said. “He has a very unique skill set, having been a successful player in the Majors, then moving into front offices with steadily increasing responsibilities. Jerry has scouted, spent time in player development and has a track record as a very successful General Manager.

During our conversations over the past few weeks, it became clear to me that he has a very solid understanding of our team and organization, both where we are and where we want to be. And he has a strategy to get us there. Few candidates bring the combination of playing the game, scouting, a solid understanding of statistical metrics and a plan for player development.

I am looking forward to having Jerry lead our baseball operations for a long time.”

Dipoto, 47 (born May 24, 1968 in Jersey City, NJ) becomes the ninth full-time General Manager in Mariners history. He resigned from his position as the Los Angeles Angels General Manager on July 1, 2015 and was most recently working in the Boston Red Sox front office as a special assistant. Dipoto was the Angels GM from Oct. 29, 2011-July 1, 2015, helping guide the club to the American League West title in 2014 finishing with the most wins (98) in the Majors. Notable acquisitions during his Angels tenure included trades for All-Stars Huston Street (rhp), Zack Greinke (rhp), David Freese (3b) and Hector Santiago (lhp), and the free agent signings of Albert Pujols (2011) and C.J. Wilson (2011).

“I’m honored to be joining the Mariners family,” Dipoto said. “As the 2015 season draws to a close, we have a great fan base, ballpark and organization, providing a great opportunity for success. I truly look forward to both the challenges and rewards to come as we chart a fresh course for the future of Mariners baseball.”

A veteran of 15 seasons as a baseball executive, he got his start immediately after retiring as a player in 2001. He was a special assistant for the Colorado Rockies (2001–02), followed by two seasons working in the scouting department for the Boston Red Sox (2003–04). He returned to the Rockies as the Director of Player Personnel (2005) and then moved to the Arizona organization as Vice President of Player Personnel (2006–10) and was appointed the Diamondbacks interim General Manager on July 1, 2010.

Dipoto appeared in 390 Major League games, all in relief, with the Indians (1993–94), New York Mets (1995–96) and Colorado Rockies (1997–2000). The right-handed pitcher compiled a career 27–24 record with 49 saves and a 4.05 ERA prior to retiring during spring training in 2001 with a bulging disc in his neck. He was originally selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 3rd round of the 1989 June Draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA). Dipoto led the Rams to their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1988 and remains in the top 10 in VCU history in several pitching categories.

Dipoto played high school baseball at Toms River High School North in New Jersey. Dipoto and his wife, Tamie, have two daughters: Taylor and Jordan, and one son, Jonah.