Braves name Hart president of baseball operations

Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Braves have named John Hart as president of baseball operations.

Hart took over as interim general manager on Sept. 22 when Frank Wren was fired after the Braves were eliminated from playoff contention.

At the time, Hart was not interested in a full-time position as head of the club's baseball department, but he has now signed on for three years in a newly created position.

The deal will carry through the 2017 season, the anticipated first year for the Braves in their new stadium -- SunTrust Park.

"I'm delighted that John Hart has agreed to accept the position of president, baseball operations," said Braves team president John Schuerholz in a statement Thursday. "Our organization is now poised to move forward in the best possible manner to do the important work that lies ahead."

Hart joined the Braves in November 2013 as a senior advisor and had also been serving as an analyst for the MLB Network, duties he relinquished after taking over as interim GM.

"When we were here a month ago, I wasn't sure what I was going to do," said Hart at a press conference Thursday. "The interim position allowed me to get my feet wet, get a feel for the people that are here. I know how much John (Schuerholz) cares and how much (CEO) Terry McGuirk cares and wants the best for the Braves, and there are lot of people here who feel the same way.

"This decision was made because of my relationship with (Schuerholz). It was made because of the Atlanta Braves, who they are and where we want to go. It's a gold standard franchise and that was a big part of it."

One of Hart's first decisions earlier this month was to keep Fredi Gonzalez as manager. Gonzalez's job security had come into question after the Braves collapsed down the stretch in 2014.

The Braves were tied for first place at the All-Star break and still in the hunt for a wild-card berth heading into the final month, but a 7-18 mark in September left them with a disappointing record of 79-83.

Hart previously served as general manager for the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. In 10 seasons directing the Indians, he took a franchise that hadn't reached the postseason since 1954 and built teams that won six division titles and a pair of American League pennants.

"John's credentials speak for themselves," Schuerholz added. "He has had great success as a baseball executive and demonstrated remarkable ability to construct championship teams. We are excited by John's dynamic and positive leadership style and look forward to him leading our baseball operations."

The 66-year-old Hart was named Major League Baseball's top executive by The Sporting News in 1994 and '95.