Allard Baird (/ˈælərd ˈbɛərd/; born November 8, 1961) is an American professional baseball executive, currently serving as an advisor for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
[1] Baird spent 18 years in the Kansas City Royals organization, starting as the hitting coach for Class A Appleton of the Midwest League in 1988.
During his six full years as general manager, Baird traded away popular players Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltrán, and Jermaine Dye with many Royal fans feeling that the team didn't get equal value.
He also signed free agent Juan González to a one-year, $4 million contract, but he played only 33 games due to a back injury.
[6] Baird joined the Boston Red Sox in 2006 as an assistant to the general manager after his firing in Kansas City, and later was named vice president and director of professional scouting.