Wed Jan 23 19:54:43 2008

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Padres extend Towers through 2010

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San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres announced Wednesday they have extended the contract of executive vice president/general manager Kevin Towers through the 2010 season.

"Kevin is the leader of what may be the best baseball operations staff in the major leagues," said Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson. "As general manager, Kevin has done an excellent job in the three seasons that I have been in San Diego, just as he has done in every capacity during his 24 years with the organization. Given his recent achievements with the Padres, including four straight winning seasons and two postseason appearances in the last three years, I look forward to working with Kevin over the next three years to further the success of the San Diego Padres."

The 46-year-old Towers became the seventh general manager in club history on November 17, 1995 and was promoted to vice president in 2000 while still holding onto the title of GM. Upon the conclusion of the 2006 season, Towers officially became the Padres' longest-tenured general manager, passing Jack McKeon's 10 1/2 years of service from 1980-90.

San Diego has reached the postseason in four of Towers' 12 seasons as GM, which includes the club's first-ever back-to-back NL West Championships in 2005 and 2006. The Padres are also coming off their fourth consecutive winning season, a franchise record.

The Padres are 970-975 since Towers took over. The Yankees' Brian Cashman, with 985 wins, is the only active GM with more victories with his current club than Towers.