Dave Dombrowski is one of the biggest names when it comes to baseball executives. He serves with the Boston Red Sox of the Major League Baseball (MLB) as the president of the baseball operations. Before he joined the Sox, he had worked with many other teams such as the Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, and Montreal Expos. Since he began as a baseball executive, he has made many achievements including becoming the Baseball America Executive of the Year in 2006. But despite all the accolades, it has not been an all rosy climb for the bigwig.
Dave Dombrowski’s Biography
David Dombrowski was born on July 27, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. Not much is known about the childhood of the man who would grow up to be one of the most respected decision makers in the Major League except that he was raised by parents who were hard workers. While his father always left home at 6 am in the morning and returned by 6:30 pm in the evening, his mother also worked to support the family.
Raised in Palos Heights, he had his mind set on becoming a general manager of a major-league baseball team when he was only in his 8th grade. His dream did not change all through Harold L. Richards High School and the eventual Cornell University where he played college football for just one year before transferring to the Western Michigan University. This was where he graduated from after he obtained a business administration degree in 1978. He would return 20 years later in 1998 to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award.
MLB Career
Dave Dombrowski’s life as an executive began in 1978 when he was made the administrative assistant of the Chicago White Sox’s minor league. He would then make a quick rise through the ranks to become the assistant manager to Roland Hemond, but this did not last as he was soon kicked out. Recognizing his talent, the Montreal Expos would snatch him up the next year and make him the director of player development in 1987 under Bill Stoneman, until one year later when he became the general manager. Being only 31 at the time, he was the youngest in the Major League at the time.
From the Expos, Dombrowsky went on to become the first general manager of Florida Marlins in 1991. He remained with the team for over a decade before leaving for the Detroit Tigers where he became its President. In 14 years, he led the Tigers to 5 playoffs and 4 straight American League Central division titles. Also under his auspicious leadership, the team made appearances in 4 four American League Championship Series, 3 straight ALCS appearances, and 2 AL pennants.
From Detroit Tigers, Dave moved to the Boston Red Sox as the president of baseball operations. In only his first season, the Sox recorded a 93 regular-season game wins and took home the American League East Division title.
Inasmuch as there is no denying the fact that he has enjoyed a very successful career, Dave only got to win a single World Series which he got in 1997. He has won a good number of individual awards such as the Andrew “Rube” Foster Award, UPI Executive of the Year, Baseball America Executive of the Year, and the Sporting News Executive of the Year which he won with Doug Melvin. He is also an inductee of the Lou Boudreau Hall of Fame.
Net Worth
Dave has achieved a lot in his career as a baseball executive which he started when he was still in his 20s. Thanks to this, he has recorded huge achievements in fame and of course, in fortune too.
With that said, his actual net worth is not known, although there are sources that place him to be worth around $10 million.
Wife, Daughter, Family
Dave Dombrowski is a family man. He got married to Karie Dombrowski (née Ross) as far back as 1995. The first time the couple met was in 1992 when Karie was working as a reporter in Miami with WTVJ while Dave was with the Florida Marlins as its general manager. Their meeting was at a news conference organized by the Marlins to announce the signing of Benito Santiago.
Five months after their first meeting, Dave hit a home run by asking Karie Ross to a date. That began it for the two of them who only a couple of years later, would walk down the aisle as man and wife.
Their union is blessed with three children, a son; Landon Dombrowski who plays as a baseball player, and two daughters; Brittney and Darbi Dombrowski.