Godrey to end tenure as Blue Jays president

Sep 29, 2008 - 5:23 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Paul Godfrey, who helped bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Ontario, has decided to step down as president of the Toronto Blue Jays, effective at the end of the calendar year when his contract expires.

Godfrey was named the Blue Jays president and chief executive officer on September 1, 2000, but his involvement with the franchise began decades earlier.

"Now that the 2008 regular baseball season has come to an end, I believe it is appropriate to announce this decision in order to give ownership enough time to do a search to find a replacement in time for the start of 2009," Godfrey said in a statement released by the team.

A Toronto native, Godfrey was active in obtaining a major league team for the city in 1977. He also designated the design and construction of the SkyDome -- now the Rogers Centre - a decade later.

"Personally, it was extra special being one of several people who played a role in bringing Major League Baseball to Toronto in 1977," Godfrey said.

The Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, the last time they have made the playoffs.