General Manager
Dana Brown was named the 14th General Manager in Astros franchise history on Jan. 25, 2023. He becomes the second African-American general manager in Astros history, joining Bob Watson (1994-95).
Brown joins the Astros after spending the last four seasons (2019-22) with the Atlanta Braves organization as their Vice President, Scouting. In that role, he oversaw several successful drafts in which the Braves selected impact players such as outfielder Michael Harris, right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider and infielder Vaughn Grissom. In 2022, Harris earned National League Rookie of the Year honors while Strider finished second.
The Braves success in recent years, which includes five straight division titles and a World Series championship in 2021, has in large part been the result of a solid farm system.
Prior to joining the Braves, Brown spent nine seasons (2010-18) with the Toronto Blue Jays as a special assistant to the general manager. In that span, the Blue Jays earned an American League East Division title in 2015 and a Wild Card berth in 2016. The postseason appearance in 2015 was the first for the Blue Jays since 1993.
Before his stint in Toronto, Brown served as the Director of Scouting for the Nationals/Expos franchise for nine seasons (2001-09). During his tenure, the Nationals/Expos would draft over 40 players that would go on to appear in the Major Leagues. Seven players drafted in that span would earn All-Star status, including Ian Desmond, Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman.
BrownĄŻs career also includes an eight-year stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he served as their area scouting supervisor and east coast cross checker.
Brown also played professionally for three seasons as an outfielder in the Phillies minor league system after being drafted out of Seton Hall University in the 35th round of the 1989 June Draft. In three minor league seasons as an outfielder, Brown hit .262 in 280 games with 82 stolen bases, advancing as high at Double-A in his final season in 1991.
One of his teammates at Seton Hall was Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. Brown also played with three other future Major Leaguers while at Seton Hall: former All-Star and MVP first baseman Mo Vaughn, shortstop John Valentin and left-handed pitcher Kevin Morton. Brown was inducted into the Seton Hall University Hall of Fame in 2008 and the New Jersey Sportswriter Hall of Fame in 2012 for notable accomplishments in baseball.
Brown and his wife, Casandra, have two children, Dana Jr. and Autumn.