On February 1,1977, the day after his 21st birthday, Wade began his Major League baseball career when he accepted an internship in the Philadelphia Phillies’ Public Relations department.

Tal Smith Enterprises provided consulting services to 26 of the 30 MLB clubs, with the most recognized functions being in preparation of arbitration cases, the financial appraisal of a franchise, contract negotiations and other baseball-related matters.

At the Baseball Winter Meetings in 1989, Wade recommended to Thomas that the Phillies select third baseman Dave Hollins from the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 Draft.

Wade was also responsible for the trades of pitcher Curt Schilling and future Hall of Fame third baseman Scott Rolen.

During this period, Wade and the Phillies promised their fans and players that their economic commitment would improve when they completed the move from Veterans Stadium to Citizens Bank Park.

On December 6, 2002, more than a year prior to the move to Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies signed free agent first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year, $85 million contract, fulfilling the team's promise to its fans that spending would increase.

While still committed to building a core nucleus from within, the Phillies continued to acquire other veteran players under Wade's watch, including David Bell, Billy Wagner, Kevin Millwood, Jon Lieber, Eric Milton and Kenny Lofton.

After missing the 2005 playoffs by a one-game margin, Wade was dismissed and replaced by future Hall of Fame executive Pat Gillick.

In the six years (2006-2011) immediately following Wade's dismissal, the Phillies, with mostly the core players drafted and developed during his tenure, posted a record of 558-414 (.555) and finished in first place in the National League East for four consecutive seasons (2007-2011).

In his four years as the Astros GM, Wade again went through another rebuild, which saw him trade high salaried players such as Lance Berkman, Brad Lidge, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence in exchange for prospects.

[2] At the time of Wade's dismissal, there were 41 players in the Houston Astros organization who went on to play in the Major Leagues, including Jose Altuve; Jason Castro; Delino DeShields, Jr.; J.A.

Martinez; Mark Melancon; Bud Norris; Wandy Rodriguez; Domingo Santana; George Springer; Vince Velasquez, and Jonathan Villar.

Following his retirement from Major League Baseball, Wade took advantage of his Temple University Journalism degree and has written two novels, which he self-published on Amazon Kindle.