Everybody's favourite Blue Jays GM just named 2nd best executive in baseball

The list was conducted by MLB Network host Brian Kenny, known affectionately as BK.

The former GM of the Blue Jays and current head honcho of the Atlanta Braves was behind only Andrew Friedman of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Blue Jays fans fondly remember Anthopoulos, known as AA amongst Blue Bird Nation, as the architect of the 2015 team who won the AL East and led to the Blue Jays to their first playoff appearance in 22 years.

Although he left the team at the end of season, much of the team's success the following year was due to the foundation that AA had put in place.

While the Jays current head office of President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins have actually had more playoff appearances than AA did, the Blue Jays have yet to win a single playoff game since the 2016 ALCS.

Anthopoulos, who won the Sporting News Executive of the Year for 2015, led the Braves to a World Series victory in 2021, Atlanta's first Championship since 1995.

Although a beloved figure in Toronto, AA has been criticized by some for trading the farm system in favour of short term gains. He left in a cloud of controversy after rejecting a five year extension following Mark Shapiro's hiring at the conclusion of the 2015 season.

Known for complex trades, he pulled off a 12 player deal which saw Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle come to Toronto, and then in 2022, pulled the trigger on a three-team nine player deal involving both the As and the Brewers.

Initially signed by Atlanta to a four year contract prior to the start of the 2018 season, Anthopoulos signed an extension in 2020 and other in 2024 which will keep him in the Peach State through the 2031 season.