Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams steps down

Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down after spending five years in that position and 15 years with the organization. 

The 49-year-old first joined the Reds ahead of the 2006 MLB season. 

“I don’t expect everyone to understand my choice, but my situation is unique,” Williams told the club's official website. “I have a family business -- other than the Reds -- that also means a lot to me. I have four young kids that I need to spend more time with. I have had an exhilarating 15 years and we have given our teams some great opportunities to win it all.

“The ultimate prize has eluded us, and I harbor more disappointment than anybody can possibly imagine but I have thrived on the thrill of the chase. Now I look forward to chasing other goals and aspirations using the platform of our family business.”

North American Properties is the family business Williams referenced. Before holding his final role with the Reds, he was a key figure in designing and constructing Cincinnati's spring training facility in Arizona. He also helped renovate the franchise's Dominican Republic academy. 

The Reds added that Williams informed Reds CEO Bob Castellini of his decision back in August. 

Cincinnati qualified for the playoffs four times between 2010 and this fall, but the team never advanced to a National League Championship Series over that time. The Reds fell to the Atlanta Braves in their wild-card series earlier this month.

Nick Krall will remain Reds general manager and vice president as the front office looks for a new president of baseball operations. 

As ESPN and the Associated Press noted, Williams' father is the Reds chairman, while his uncle serves as vice chairman in the current ownership group.