After starting out in New York's farm system, he was the Cards' administrative assistant for minor leagues and scouting in 1970–72, and the general manager and chief operating officer of the Redbirds in 1978–80.
Initially, he worked in New York's farm system, serving as the Cards' administrative assistant for minor leagues and scouting from 1970 to 1972, and later holding the positions of general manager and chief operating officer of the Redbirds from 1978 to 1980.