This Day in Sports Business History October 4

Jon Daniels, born in Queens in 1977 and a graduate of Cornell University, became the youngest general manager in Major League Baseball history on October 4, 2005, when the Texas Rangers promoted him at just 28 years old. Before earning that role, Daniels had worked his way up in the organization after time in baseball operations and as assistant GM. His tenure brought unprecedented success to the Rangers, highlighted by back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011—the first in franchise history—along with multiple AL West division titles. Daniels was recognized for his leadership with Baseball America’s Executive of the Year award in 2010, and he was credited with modernizing the team’s front office through analytics and player development