Why Cunningham?
In his opening statements, Ryan explained why the organization ultimately landed on Cunningham to take over the front office. Like he did with Stefanski a week prior, Ryan detailed how Cunningham’s collective lived front office experience sold Atlanta on him.
“He learned from incredible general managers during (his) stops, whether that be Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta in Baltimore, Howie Roseman in Philadelphia, Ryan Poles in Chicago. I think that was one of the biggest selling points for us on Ian,” Ryan explained. “It was his experience in all areas of scouting, too. He has touched it all. I think from a general manager position understanding what those positions go through, the expectations for them are, it was very important to us through the process.”
It’s these men Cunningham himself sees as individuals to chase.
“Fortunately for me, I have been around some of the greats to ever do it,” Cunningham said. “If I can be half as good as them, that’s what I am striving for, trying to be as good as them.”
It was his totality of a career — from being an area scout with Baltimore, to a director with Philadelphia, to finally an assistant general manager in Chicago — along with his recommendations that really made leaders in Atlanta feel they had found their guy.
“We were looking for somebody who was well-versed in terms of their experience, and has touched all of the different parts of scouting,” Ryan reiterated. “That’s was something that was important for us because there’s a lot that falls under Ian’s control, so you want somebody who is comfortable, who understands each individual’s role in his department.”