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Shapiro to take over as Blue Jays president, CEO after 2015 season

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Toronto Blue Jays announced Monday that longtime Cleveland Indians executive Mark Shapiro will take over as president and CEO at the end of the 2015 season when Paul Beeston retires.

"Mark is a seasoned baseball veteran, whose leadership, drive for excellence, and commitment to all aspects of the game is impressive," Edward Rogers, chairman of the Blue Jays and deputy chairman of Rogers Communications, said in a statement. "We have confidence that he is the right person to lead the Toronto Blue Jays into the future and build upon the franchise’s legacy."

Shapiro, who joined the Indians in 1992 and spent nine seasons as general manager, will succeed a franchise icon in Toronto when he takes over for Beeston, a Blue Jays employee since 1976 and a principal character from the team's consecutive World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.

"I am happy to pass him the baton - but not just yet," Beeston said in a statement. (General manager) Alex (Anthopoulos), the team, and I have a little more work to do."

Despite admitting to "mixed emotions" about leaving Cleveland, Shapiro said his new position in Toronto "represents a unique opportunity for me and one that I felt was the right new challenge to undertake."

Indians owner Paul Dolan praised Shapiro for his years of service while adding that the team will not seek an external replacement for the 48-year-old.

"Given the person that Mark is, the significant leadership and values that he has brought to the organization and with everything he has helped us accomplish, it will be extremely difficult to see him leave," Dolan said in a statement.

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