HOUSTON — Bob “The Bull” Watson, the first African-American GM to win a World Series, died Thursday due to kidney disease.

The Astros provided background on Watson’s impressive history in baseball, which reached success at many different levels, including as a player, coach, general manager and MLB executive.

When Watson was honored with the B.A.T. Lifetime Achievement Award at Minute Maid Park in 2017, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Torre traveled to Houston to take part in the ceremony.

In March of 2020, the Astros hosted a special ceremony dedicating the new Bob Watson Education Center, which is located at the Astros Youth Academy in Houston’s Acres Home.

Watson took part in the ceremony, and was joined by Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane, Torre, Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin, Astros Executive Advisor Reid Ryan, former Astros teammate Craig Reynolds, Astros Foundation Executive Director Twila Carter, and Director of the AYA Daryl Wade.