Ed Wade
Ed Wade (born January 31, 1956) is an American former professional baseball executive, who served as general manager of the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Early career in baseball After graduating from Temple University in 1977, Wade started his baseball career as an intern in the Philadelphia Phillies’ public relations department. In October 1977, Wade was named public relations assistant for the Houston Astros and was promoted to public relations director in 1979; he suggested once that J.R. Richard could hold eight baseballs in his hand to celebrate back to back 300 strikeout seasons, which Richard did for a photo. In May 1981, Wade left Houston to become the public relations director for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and remained with that club for five seasons. In 1986, Wade returned to Houston to work as an associate for Tal Smith Enterprises, a firm which has provided consulting services to 26 of the 30 MLB clubs, with the most recognized functions being in preparation of arbitration cases, the financial appraisal of a franchise, contract negotiations and other baseball-related matters. Wade worked for the company until May 5, 1989, when he rejoined the Phillies as assistant to the