Bruce Baldwin leaves as Gwinnett GM

Bruce Baldwin, the former Richmond Braves general manager who became the Gwinnett Braves’ general manager when the franchise relocated to Gwinnett. Ga., folowing the 2008 season, will step down from his position once a replacement is named, the Braves recently announced.

Baldwin will remain with the Braves as a special minor league consultant.

“I love this organization, but I love my family more and they’re back in Richmond,“ said Baldwin in a Braves’ release. “I’m thrilled I will be back with my family full time and that I can remain working with the Braves.“

After 23 seasons as general manager of the Braves Class AAA franchise, he was most recently responsible for overseeing the franchise’s transition from Richmond to Gwinnett.

“Bruce has been such a valuable member of our organization,“ Mike Plant, Braves Executive Vice President of Operations, said in the release. “He’s been a part of the Braves since 1982 and we’re pleased he will continue to lend his vast experience to assist our organization.“

Baldwin started with the Braves in 1982, in Pulaski with the Appalachian League, and spent a short time with the Braves’ Double-A team in Savannah, Ga., before moving with that team to Greenville, S.C.

He then moved to Richmond. After 22 years with the team in Richmond, he moved with the franchise to Gwinnett’s new stadium to start the 2009 season.