General Manager
Dana Brown was named the 14th General Manager in Astros franchise history on Jan. 25, 2023.
Brown became the second African-American general manager in Astros history, joining Bob Watson (1994-95). He enters his third season as general manager in 2025.
After the Astros won their fourth-straight American League West title in 2024, Brown became the first Astros general manager to win division titles in his first two years as general manager.
In 2023, his first season as the Astros general manager, the team won the American League West and finished with a record of 90-72, advancing through the divisional round to their seventh-straight American League Championship Series.
Following the 2024 season, Brown had a busy offseason, signing one of the top first basemen in the league, three-time Gold Glove winner, Christian Walker. He also acquired 2024 All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, top prospect Cam Smith and right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.
Prior to the 2024 season, Brown made the first managerial selection of his career, naming longtime coach Joe Espada the 20th manager in Astros franchise history. He also orchestrated a big offseason signing of five-time All-Star left-handed reliever Josh Hader to bolster an already strong bullpen. In February 2024, Brown also extended Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve for five seasons, through 2029, keeping the eight time All-Star, 2017 MVP and future Hall of Fame candidate as an Astro for life.
Under Brown, the Astros signed starting pitcher Christian Javier to a contract extension through 2027 in spring training 2023. At the 2023 trade deadline, Brown made his first major move, reacquiring Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Justin Verlander and cash considerations from the New York Mets, in exchange for minor league outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.
Brown joined the Astros after spending 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 during BrownĄŻs tenure there, which included five straight division titles and a World Series championship in 2021, was in large part 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 Leagues 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.