As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays face off in this year’s World Series, one Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) faculty member has a particularly special connection to both dugouts. Dan Evans, who teaches our Baseball GM & Scouting Course, has held leadership roles with both franchises—leaving a lasting impact that’s still visible on the field today.

Building a Foundation of Success with the Dodgers

From 2001 to 2004, Dan served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, overseeing all aspects of baseball operations with a $150 million scope. During his tenure, the Dodgers achieved the second-best career winning percentage by a General Manager in franchise history (.546).

Dan’s leadership transformed the organization’s philosophy, steering it back to its roots in scouting and player development. He rebuilt the farm system, emphasizing pitching, defense, and homegrown talent—an approach that helped sustain the club’s success for years to come.

Under his direction:

• The 2003 Dodgers bullpen became one of the most dominant in MLB history.

• The organization executed two of the most productive amateur drafts (2002–2003) in modern baseball, producing future All-Stars such as Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, James Loney, and A.J. Ellis.

• The club reclaimed its place as an international powerhouse, signing standout players from Japan, Taiwan, Venezuela, and beyond.

• Dan also made history by hiring Kim Ng, now baseball’s first female General Manager, as VP/Assistant GM—cementing his legacy as a forward-thinking executive.

Expanding the Global Game with the Blue Jays

After his success in Los Angeles, Dan joined the Toronto Blue Jays as Major League Scout and Pacific Rim Operations Director from 2013 to 2018. There, he was tasked with expanding the Blue Jays’ global scouting presence—a challenge he not only met but exceeded.

Before Dan’s arrival, the Blue Jays had no presence in the Pacific Rim. Under his leadership, the organization quickly became a leader in international scouting, building relationships and evaluating talent across Japan, Korea, China, and Chinese Taipei. His expertise also extended to MLB advance scouting, including postseason assignments against the Texas Rangers—whom the Blue Jays famously defeated in consecutive playoff series.

Dan’s contributions played a part in the Blue Jays’ 2015 and 2016 runs to the American League Championship Series, helping position Toronto as a consistent contender.

Learn Directly from a Proven MLB Executive

As two of his former organizations battle for baseball’s ultimate prize, Dan Evans continues to share his decades of experience with aspiring professionals through SMWW’s Baseball GM & Scouting Course.

Students in Dan’s class gain insider insight into how MLB front offices operate, how teams evaluate talent, and what it takes to build a championship-caliber roster—directly from someone who’s done it at the highest level.

Whether your goal is to become a scout, front office executive, or baseball operations analyst, there’s no better time to learn from one of the few people who has built winning teams on both sides of the diamond.

Enroll in the Baseball GM & Scouting Course today and start your path toward a career in baseball operations.