(1985, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993) and led the club to their first World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. Shortly after Gillick resigned in 1994, the Blue Jays went into decline, not finishing higher than third place until 2006, and failing to make the playoffs until 2015. In 1995, Gillick was named the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles to replace Roland Hemond, who had resigned. He cited the fact that they were close to winning a championship as a factor to his decision to come out of retirement. He guided the Orioles to the playoffs in 1996 and 1997. He announced on September 20, 1998 his departure from the Orioles when his three-year contract expired after the conclusion of the season. The Orioles struggled shortly after his departure, failing to achieve a winning season until 2012. Gillick then became the general manager of the Seattle Mariners, who had parlayed their incredible 1995 playoff run into a new ballpark and the financial resources to become a perennial contender. Upon his hiring, the responsibility fell on Gillick to trade Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati after Griffey played out his final season in Seattle. The Mariners made back-to-back playoff appearances for the only time in franchise history in 2000 and 2001, and the 2001 team, with a 116–46 record, tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the all-time Major League Baseball record for most wins in a single season. However, the Mariners failed to make it past the American League Championship Series in either year, and did not make the playoffs for the rest of Gillick's tenure as GM and advisor. The Mariners have not reached the playoffs since his departure. On November 2, 2005, Gillick was named the Philadelphia Phillies' general manager, after which his first big move was to trade Jim Thome and cash to the Chicago White Sox for Aaron Rowand along with prospects Gio González and Daniel Haigwood, being a move which cleared the way for Phillies' Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard to become the permanent starter. Howard would be named NL MVP that year. Gillick had permanent residence in Toronto with his wife Doris, however they have since relocated to Seattle after he became the Phillies GM. He had become a Canadian citizen in 2004. Gillick retired from his position as general manager after leading the Phillies to a World Series championship in 2008. Assistant general