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February 29, 2008
Jean Afterman Sighting
Via the St. Petersburg Times -
Dozens of screaming fans and a flock of paparazzi lined the red carpet at Tampa Theatre's ninth annual Oscar Night America benefit Sunday.
Pat Fenda reprised her Oscar-worthy performance as Roan Jivers, critiquing 300 gowned and tuxed supporters as they emerged from limos circling the block.
The Florida Aquarium's tiny South African black-footed penguins waddled in on Happy Feet wearing their version of black-tie, but they were not invited to stay and watch the 80th annual Academy Awards ceremony on the big screen.
The historic theater's benefit was one of 52 sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Jean Afterman, vice president and assistant general manager of the New York Yankees, was among the movie buffs enjoying champagne and hors d'oeuvres from Mise en Place.
She was rooting for Juno to win big, she said, clutching a CD of the sound track produced by her brother, Peter. The film did win Best Original Screenplay.
In December 2001, the Yankees hired Afterman to be their assistant General Manager. At the time, Brian Cashman cited her expertise in the Far East as one of her strongest attributes. That made sense - because she was general counsel for an agency who represents Japanese players before joining the Yankees. [Insert your Kei Igawa joke here.]
But, as a G.M., shouldn't your assistant G.M. be someone that you're grooming and training to be your successor?
Does anyone really think that Jean Afterman has a decent chance of ever being the Yankees next General Manager? Man, if that happens, would that be a bad dream, or what?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at February 29, 2008 06:38 AM
Comments
But, as a G.M., shouldn't your assistant G.M. be someone that you're grooming and training to be your successor?
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Not necessarily, it depends on the organization.
Do you know that she isn't being trained to take the place of Cashman?
In any event you'd be miserable about the situation anyway.
(1) You don't want a GM trained by someone you detest.
(2) If she wasn't groomed by Cashman you'd have an inexperienced GM
It's a WIN-WIN situation for you.
Posted by: Basura ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 29, 2008 08:39 AM
especially since she was rooting for Juno. Gah!
Posted by: Nick from Washington Heights at February 29, 2008 08:40 AM
Depends on the job and organization.
Alot of GM's hire their assistant GM's to compliment them, the best example is San Diego with Kevin Towers, his assistant GM is Paul Depodesta, who is a former GM himself, and will almost certainly be a GM again somewhere else (though I'm sure Towers prefer that place not be San Diego).
Side note: I believe she is the 2nd female assistant general manager in the last 20 years.
Out of curiosity, why do you think Jean Afterman would be a bad GM?
Posted by: Sonny M at February 29, 2008 02:41 PM
Her lack of a scouting background and/or inexperience of playing the game as a professional.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at February 29, 2008 10:23 PM