Historical Manager Backgrounds

Harry Wright

Harry Wright can be considered the first manager.  He was the manager of the famous Cincinnati Red Stockings who gained fame by winning fifty seven games and tying one during the 1869 season.  After leaving Cincinnati he continued managing with the Boston Red Stockings where he also had notable success with his team.  After stints with the Providence Grays and Philadelphia Quakers he retired in 1893.  Wright was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953.

Wright is not a baseball strategist.  He is a proponent of strong pitching and defense and heavy hitters.  Won't sacrifice often or use the hit and run.  Likes aggressive baserunners.  Depends on pitchers going the distance but will use relievers on rare occasions.

Charlie Comiskey

Charlie Comiskey, although best known as the owner of the Chicago White Sox, was a great player and manager.  He first played professionally in 1882 for the St. Louis Brown Stockings.  He became their full-time manager in 1885 and led them to four consecutive American Association Championships.  After leaving managing he migrated to club ownership where his Chicago White Sox were very successful winning the World Series in 1906 and 1917.  His legacy has been tarnished by the Black Sox scandal of 1919 but his overall contribution to baseball is unquestioned.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Comiskey is a big believer in tight defense and strong starters who will go deep in games.  Likes to have hitters on his team who hit for average. Players on his teams will be expected to steal bases and go for the extra base whenever possible.  Likes a mix of veterans and young players.  

Cap Anson

Cap Anson is possibly the greatest player-manager during the first years of organized baseball.  A great player who made his imprint on the game, Anson began his career with Rockford Forest City in 1871 but moved to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1872 where he established his greatness as a player.  On the recommendation of Al Spalding the Chicago White Stockings signed him in 1876.  His career blossomed and he soon became player-manager in 1879 and his fame grew to the point where he was the most popular baseball figure of his time.  He played more than twenty years and became known as Pop Anson due to this longevity.  His Chicago career ended in 1897 and a subsequent manager position with the New York Giants was brief.  Anson was a huge figure in early baseball greatly increased its popularity due to his prowess, charisma, and personality.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

The managerial style of Cap Anson is one that concentrated on offense.  He teams are built around power and general hitting excellence.  Works his starters hard and they are expected to rack up a lot of innings.  Is familiar with some innovations that are beginning to develop in the game and will use them when the occasion calls for it.  Likes aggressive baserunners but not a big believer in the hit and run or base stealing in general. 

Ned Hanlon

Ned Hanlon is was one of baseball's first tacticians and is recognized as being an early proponent of "inside baseball".  He played for thirteen seasons for various teams where his defense and speed made him a useful addition.  However, his greatest claim to fame is that he was the manager for the famous Baltimore Orioles of the 1890's.  This club, anchored by such luminaries as John McGraw, Wilbert Robinsons, Willie Keeler, and others, became famous for its use of innovative strategies such as the hit and run and double steal.  Its playing style was ultra-aggressive and the Orioles were frequently accused of being too rowdy.  After tremendous success with the Orioles, Hanlon took charge of the Brooklyn Superbas in 1899 and piloted them to National League pennants in 1899 and 1900.  Further managerial success eluded him and he eventually left the game entirely after 1916.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

Ned Hanlon's teams will always ultra-aggressive on the base paths and use strategies to the utmost.  His emphasis on plays such as the hit and run and use of stealing will enable his teams to constantly put pressure on the opposing team.  Uses the sacrifice but not as frequently as you might think.  Likes his starters to stay in but is not averse to relief pitching.  Offenses are paramount with him and his teams have good gap power but are not big home run hitters.  

Frank Selee

Frank Selee was one of the most successful managers in baseball history yet his record has lapsed into obscurity today.  Selee managed the Boston Beaneaters from 1890 to 1901 and then the Chicago Cubs from 1902 to 1905.  Competing against the Baltimore Orioles Selee's Beaneaters won five pennants in the 1890's.  In 1892 they won over 100 games which is the first time it had been done.  Selee laid the foundation for the great Cubs teams of the early 20rh century by molding the famous double play combination of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance.  He was a keen assessor of talent.  Selee became ill during the 1905 season and was replaced by Frank Chance.  He died in 1909 of consumption.  Selee was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Selee is a sound tactician who is well versed in inside baseball.  He likes to use his front line players to the hilt, including his pitching staff.  Relies on players who are speedy and will take the extra base as needed.  Not one for substitutions and will always prefer pitching and defense over offense if forced to make a choice.

John McGraw

John McGraw is one of the most famous managers in baseball history.  A great player with the Baltimore Orioles, McGraw put up hall of fame numbers while an active player.  Once his playing career finished he found his way to the New York Giants manager position where he enjoyed great success.  His teams won ten pennants and three World Series and for almost all of his tenure in New York his teams were near the top of the standings.  Developed numerous great players and brought an intensity to the game that has been rarely matched.  Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937

McGraw is a big believer in the running game.  Likes to have players who will steal bases and run the bases with abandon.  Does not like the sacrifice bunt at all and avoids it at all costs.  Uses the hit and run quite frequently.  Somewhat unusual for his era, McGraw will pinch hit and use pinch runners as well.  McGraw also utilizes relief pitchers more than usual for the era but will have a slow hook for an exceptionally good pitcher.

Frank Chance

Frank Chance managed one of the great early 20th century teams, the Chicago Cubs.  He began his playing career as a catcher but was switched to first base by his Chicago manager, Frank Selee.  Upon taking the reins of the Cubs in 1905, Chance built on Selee's foundation to make the Cubs a powerhouse in the National League.  Their rivalry with the New York Giants was intense and culminated in the famous Merkle game in 1908.  Chance was a good first baseman who handled player-manager duties in an excellent manner.  The Cubs won four pennants and two World Series during the seven year reign of Chance.  He moved to the New York Highlanders in 1913 and managed for that year and 1914.  Along with a one year stint as the Boston Red Sox manager in 1923, the results were disappointing.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1946.

Chance is a manager who likes a sold, well-balanced team.  He emphasizes the stolen base and looks for players who can handle a bat.  Is an advocate of bunting and believes that moving runners along in this way is the best way to scratch out a run.  Quite aggressive in running strategies.  Uses his starters late into the game and does not mind having a rotation of more than four.

Fred Clarke

Fred Clarke was a great player manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 to 1915.  He began his playing career with Louisville of the National League in 1894 and stayed with them until he went to Pittsburgh in 1900.  He was an accomplished base stealer and hitter who maintained high averages and gap power during his career.  Upon becoming the manager of the Pirates in 1900 Clarke continued to play well while leading the team to pennants in 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1909.  His Pirates team lost the first World Series to the Boston Pilgrims but they won the 1909 Series against the Cobb led Tiger team.  Clarke was a manager who spoke his mind and was well respected.

Clarke is a manager who will encourage base stealing and a solid defense.  Places more emphasis on strong starters than some and likes them to go deeper into games.  Sticks with a set lineup with very little pinch hitting or pinch running.  Likes to hit and run.  Does not guard the lines or employ shifts as he feels his fielders range is sufficient to get to any ball.  Will use multiple starters.

Connie Mack

Connie Mack is rightfully considered a managerial phenomenon.  His career as an active player was not exceptional although he was recognized as being very smart.  He was a catcher and occasional first baseman for eleven seasons.  Ten of those were in the National League and one in the Players League.  In 1901 Mack became the part owner and manager of the Philadelphia Athletics.  He eventually became sole owner of the club and remained its manager until 1951.  His record is one that bears close examination.  Although his lifetime winning percentage is under .500 his teams won five out of eight World Series and one pennant in 1902 when there was no post season competition between leagues.  The years 1910 to 1914 and 1929 to 1931 sported some of the greatest teams of those eras.  Mack was noted as a manager who was innovative and treated players with respect.  He is a legendary name in baseball history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937.

Mack is a manager who likes the big inning and will not use the bunt very often if at all.  Likewise, he does not hit and run to any great extent or steal.  He will also be more conservative on the bases not wanting to risk running into outs.  He does not pinch hit or pinch run often.  Connie will stay with his starters rather than go with relievers.  Also, he would use his starters as relievers.  Not prone to guarding the lines of shifting the defense.

Bill McKechnie

Bill McKechnie is another manager who deserves recognition for his accomplishments.  An average player who played for multiple teams, McKechnie managed four Major League teams.  They were the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Braves, and Cincinnati Reds.  His years of service were from 1922 to 1946 and he also assisted player manager Lou Boudreau while with the 1948 World Series winning Cleveland Guardians.  McKechnie won pennant with the Pirates (1925), Cardinals (1928), and Reds (1939,1940).  His Pirate team and the 1940 Reds won the World Series.  McKechnie was a quiet person who did not believe in berating his players.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.

Bill is a small ball type of manager who will utilize the sacrifice bunt often.  In order to manufacture runs he uses the hit and run to a great extent but will be very careful about trying to take the extra base.  His teams will also steal more bases than opposing teams.  He is a manager who likes his pitcher to finish what he has started and favors a four man rotation.  Not a big proponent of advanced defensive strategies like guarding lines.  Likes to pinch hit.

Joe McCarthy

Joe McCarthy has one of the most stellar managerial records in baseball history.  No less an authority than Bill James considers him the greatest manager in baseball history.  Never a major league player, McCarthy took the reins of the Chicago Cubs in 1926 after a successful minor league managerial career.  He guided the Cubs to the pennant in 1929 but was fired in 1930.  He took control of the New York Yankees in 1931.  His Yankees won the World Series in 1932 and then began a run of four straight titles starting in 1936.  Two more World Series, in 1941 and 1943, closed out his Yankees success.  He resigned in 1946 and finished his career with the Boston Red Sox.  He was a well-respected manager who fostered a degree of professionalism in the Yankees that was much admired.  McCarthy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1957.

McCarthy is a believer in power hitting and trying for a big inning.  Consequently, he will rarely use the sacrifice bunt and not pursue a strategy that includes the running game.  McCarthy will pinch hit when behind or tied in the late innings.  He is also a manager who will use many starters but stay with an ace for a longer period of time.  Will definitely use relief pitchers more than others of his time.

Leo Durocher

Leo Durocher was one of the most fiery and controversial managers of his time.  In a long career that stretched from 1939 to 1973 Durocher's teams won three pennants and one World Series title.  He began as a shortstop for the New York Yankees in 1925 but only became a regular in 1928 when he helped them to a World Series title.  Traded to the Reds in 1930 and the Cardinals in 1933, Durocher gained the reputation as a good field no hit player but was selected to three all-star teams.  He was an integral part of the "Gas House Gang" group of Cardinals who beat the Tigers in the 1934 World Series.  Upon arriving in Brooklyn in 1938 Durocher began establishing himself as a manager by assuming those duties in 1939 while still playing shortstop.  He turned the team around and they won the National League pennant in 1941 although they lost to the Yankees in the World Series.  Always a firebrand, Durocher was famous for his rows with umpires and reputation for not backing down against the toughest of opposition teams.  He was suspended by Commissioner Happy Chandler for the 1947 season for associating with gamblers.  He returned in 1948 but in mid-season, in a shocking move, left the Dodgers to manage the arch rival New York Giants.  His Giants won the pennant in 1951 and 1954.  The latter year was his only World Series title when the Giants defeated the Cleveland Guardians.  He left the Giants after the 1955 season and became a broadcast commentator, actor, and coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Durocher returned to managing in 1966 and stayed with them until mid-way through the 1972 season.  His 1969 Cubs are famous for their late season collapse, allowing the Mets to win the National League pennant.  His career ended after managing the Houston Astros in 1973.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

Durocher believes in a set lineup with experienced players.  He will not hesitate to pinch hit aggressively.  Will use the sacrifice bunt but he is not going to use the running game to any great extent.  Likes to implement the hit and run.  Uses relievers quite a bit and is an adherent of the lefty/righty matchup.  He is not afraid of the intentional walk.  Durocher will not stay with a starter too long reinforcing his predilection for using relievers.

Casey Stengel

Casey Stengel was one of the most colorful managers to ever wear the uniform.  He was an outfielder whose career began in 1912 and ended in 1925.  He appeared as a player in three World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1916) and the New York Giants (1922 and 1923).  He hit .393 in the three World Series he played in and had the distinction of hitting the first home run in Yankee Stadium.  He managed the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves but achieved little success.  He followed this with outstanding results as manager of the minor league Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Oaks, winning titles with each.  In 1949 the Yankees hired him to be their manager and he responded by leading them to five consecutive World Series titles.  He won two more World Series with them and five pennants in all with the Yankees until he was fired after losing the 1960 Series to the underdog Pittsburgh Pirates.  He came back to manage the New York Mets in 1962 and stayed with them until the mid-season in 1965.  Although many remember Stengel as a lovable character known for his mangling of the English language, his record as a manager is excellent.  Stengel was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Casey Stengel is one who strikes a balance between the big innings and playing for a single run although he has power hitters.  Not one to steal bases but he does love the hit and run.  Casey is a manager who will use the sacrifice bunt but not to excess.  He is a big proponent of pinch hitters and will use them a lot.  Stengel will use a wide variety of starters and is very quick in going to the bullpen.  Stengel platoons quite a bit and juggles his lineups extensively.

Walter Alston

Walter Alston is the epitome of the strong, quiet manager who achieves success through hard work and having the respect of his players.  He was a first baseman in the Cardinals organization who only appeared in one Major League game, striking out.  Upon his return to the minors, Alston continued playing and then managing.  In 1954 he was tabbed by the Brooklyn Dodgers to be their manager and he quickly achieved success by leading them to their only World Series victory in 1955 defeating the Yankees.  He remained with the Dodgers for his entire managerial career winning five more pennants and three more World Series wins.  He was noted for always signing one year contracts and maintaining a quiet persona.  Alston is the most successful Dodger manager in the history of their franchise.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Alston is a manager who likes players with speed.  His teams will steal bases frequently and be very aggressive on the bases and will often use the hit and run.  He plays for the one run and will use the sacrifice bunt frequently.  He does pinch hit more than others and stresses a strong defense.  Alston uses the bullpen a fair amount but will stay with his starters if he considers them his aces.  

Sparky Anderson

Sparky Anderson was a manager who was successful from his very first season in the majors.  As a player Anderson was mediocre and lasted only one season in the big leagues.  He hit only .218 as a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1959 and, after his return to the minors, began managing in there in 1964.  He served as third-base coach for the San Diego Padres in 1969 and was a surprise choice to manage the Cincinnati Reds in 1970.  His Reds won the National League pennant that year but fell to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.  His Reds teams became known as "The Big Red Machine" and were successful throughout Anderson's time as their manager.  The Reds reached the World Series in 1972 but were defeated by the Oakland A's.  However, they reached their stride in 1976 and 1977 winning the Series against the Red Sox and Yankees respectively.  After finishing second the next two years to the Dodgers Anderson was fired.  He took over managing duties with the Tigers in June of 1979 and under his tutelage they won the World Series in 1984.  His Tigers never reached the World Series again and he subsequently retired in 1995.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Sparky was known as Captain Hook and he will use his relievers liberally. He will use many different starters and will not be hesitant to take them out when trouble starts.  Anderson likes the intentional walk as well. He will go for the big inning and eschew the sacrifice bunt.  Doesn't like to hit and run but he is a big supporter of base stealing.  Tends to be aggressive on the base paths.  Average in terms of using pinch hitters.

Earl Weaver

Earl Weaver was a manager who became famous for his frequent and enthusiastic support for the belief that the long ball strategy was the most certain way for a team to gain success.  He was a minor league player who never made the majors.  He started managing in the minors in 1956 and became affiliated with the Orioles organization in 1957 when he piloted their club in the Georgia-Florida league.  He was hired as a coach for the Orioles in 1968 and, after half of a season, was given the manager position in July of that year.  He remained with the Orioles until 1986 when he retired.  During that time his team won four pennants and one World Series.  He was one who was famous for his arguments with umpires and was ejected 97 times in his tenure as manager.  He also used statistics as an analytical way to gain advantage in game situations.  His book, "Weaver on Strategy", put forth his theories on strategy and has been oft quoted.  Weaver was an innovative and successful manager who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

Weaver is possibly the foremost proponent of the big inning in Major League history.  He likes players with power and will not settle for one run when he thinks he can get three.  Absolutely despises the sacrifice bunt and will not use the running game to any extent.  Also does not favor the stolen base.  He also likes his players to be patient and draw walks.  Weaver likes a strong group of starters and he will stay with them as long as possible.  He prefers a four man rotation and hates the intentional walk.

Whitey Herzog

Whitey Herzog was the antithesis of Earl Weaver.  He was a strong advocate for the concept of playing for one run.  That idea, small ball, is considered a throwback to a managerial style rooted in the early years of the 20th century.  His Major League playing career lasted for eight seasons and he was more of a journeyman player than anything else.  After his playing career ended he scouted and coached for the Athletics for two years and then coached for the Mets as well as being in charge of player development.  This lasted for seven years until he took the Texas Rangers managing position in 1973.  Fired during the season he worked with the California Angels in 1974 and managed a few games for them on an interim basis.  In 1975 he was offered the manager job for the Kansas City Royals and stayed in that position through 1979. He then managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 1980 through 1990 where he won three pennants and one World Series title.  During his time with the Royals and Cardinals the concept of Whiteyball evolved.  It emphasized speed, line drive hitting, base stealing and aggression while running the bases. This concept also had a power hitter placed in the third slot of the order.  Herzog held front office positions with the Angels after leaving the Cardinals.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Whitey Herzog promoted the use of the hit and run with base running that borders on reckless abandon.  He wants his players to steal bases as often as possible but does not use the sacrifice bunt to any great degree.  He likes players with high on base percentages and who will put the ball in play.  On defense, Herzog played his infield in more than normal.  He also prizes players who have good defensive skills.  Herzog will not hesitate to use his bullpen and is very aware of lefty/righty matchups.  He will also use the intentional walk often.  

Tommy Lasorda

Tommy Lasorda will always be identified with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  He has served in some capacity with them for over sixty years and continues to promote them and baseball in general.  He pitched for the Dodgers for two years and the Athletics for one but did not achieve any great success.  Lasorda was employed by the Dodgers from 1961 to 1973 as a minor league scout and manager.  He was Walter Alston's third base coach from 1973 until September 1976 when he assumed the manager role upon Alston's retirement.  From that time until June 1996 Lasorda skippered the Dodgers.  His team won four National League pennants and two World Series.  Upon his retirement Lasorda continued his association with the Dodgers.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Lasorda is a manager who will sacrifice often and use the running game a lot.  He likes to hit and run and pinch hits more than normal.  He likes a stable lineup and greatly prefers offense over defense.  He tries to balance speed with power.  Lasorda wants his starting pitchers to go deep into games and tends not to use the bullpen too much.  He also uses the intentional walk more than others.

Gene Mauch

Gene Mauch is considered one of the finest managers who never had his team win the World Series.  He began his career as a second baseman and subsequently played for many teams in the Major Leagues.  His playing career was undistinguished but his baseball acumen propelled him into the managerial ranks at the age of 23 with the Atlanta team of the Southern Association.  After many years managing in the minors Mauch was chosen as the manager of the moribund Philadelphia Phillies.  This began a 25 five year stint as manager of several teams including the Phillies, Expos, Twins, and Angels.  Three times his teams game within a whisker of going to the World Series.  The famous collapse of the Phillies in 1964 is perhaps the most famous but his California Angels barely missed out in 1982 and 1986.  Mauch was a strong advocate of small ball and was considered an intense manager.  

Gene's teams will play small ball as a matter of course.  He will employ the sacrifice bunt aggressively but use the steal sparingly.  He will use the hit and run just a bit more than average.  Mauch likes to use pinch hitters and will pinch run as well.  His pitchers will use the intentional walk more than others and Gene will have a much slower hook for his relievers than his starters.  He is slightly more disposed to veterans and will emphasize pitching, defense, and speed.  He wants his batters to get on base to set the table for the following hitters and so he can use small ball strategies.

Tony LaRussa

Tony LaRussa has been, and continues to be, one of the most successful managers of the modern era.  He has won the World Series with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals thus becoming one of the few managers in the history of Major League baseball to have such success in both the American and National League.  Although he lasted briefly in the majors as a player, LaRussa has found his niche as a well-respected manager who has won over 2600 games with three different clubs.  He started his Major League managing career with the Chicago White Sox and, after eight years moved to the Oakland Athletics.  His team there won three American League pennants and one World Series.  After ten years at the helm he moved to the St. Louis Cardinals where he has won two pennants and one World Series.  Tony is a man of many interests and earned a law degree from the Florida State University College of Law.

Tony is a manager who would rather have veteran players on his club.  He likes to strike a balance between pitching and hitting.  His teams are slightly more defensive oriented than offensive.  He also likes to have speed on his club but is not averse to having power hitters in his lineup.  LaRussa will also prefer to have players who can get on base via the base hit or the walk.

Bobby Cox

A player for two seasons with the Yankees in the late 1960's, Bobby Cox started his managerial career in 1971 with the Syracuse minor league club. He became a coach for the Yankees in 1977 and after that year became the manager of the Atlanta Braves.  From 1978 through 1981 he managed the Braves but was fired by Ted Turner after the latter season.  He managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 through 1985.  In 1985 they won the American League East but lost to the Kansas City Royals in the Championship Series.  Cox returned to the Braves in 1986 as general manager and assumed managerial duties in June of 1990.  From that year through 2010 Atlanta won five National League pennants and the World Series in 1995 over the Cleveland Guardians.  His teams dominated the National League East for much of that time although coming up short in their quest for World Series honors.  Cox was known for his combative nature and he confirmed that reputation by being ejected a record 158 times during his career.  

Bobby is a strong believer in pitching and defense.  Hit hitters draw walks and hit with power.  He is known for his developing younger players.  He does not like to steal bases much and players are moderate in their aggressiveness on the base paths.  The hit and run will be used on occasion.  He is not hesitant to pull his starting pitchers if they are in trouble and will keep his relievers in for extended duty.

Bucky Harris

Bucky Harris became famous as "The Boy Manager" who led the Washington Senators to their first World Series Championship with a win over the New York Giants in 1924.  He was only 27 at the time and had been given the job by the venerable owner of the club, Clark Griffith.  Harris had been the regular second baseman for the Senators since 1920 and Griffith thought highly of his baseball acumen.  Washington had become famous as the terrible club that had wasted the talents of several players, including the great Walter Johnson.  Harris had an excellent year in 1924, especially defensively, and then excelled in the World Series.  To illustrate the point, Harris had nine career home runs in 1263 regular season games but hit two homers in the 1924 World Series.  He again led them to the World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925 but the Senators lost in a tough seven games.  Harris drew the ire of Ban Johnson, president of the American League, for keeping Walter Johnson in during the pivotal seventh game even though Walter was clearly laboring.  Harris stayed with the Senators through the 1928 season and then moved to Detroit where he played only twelve games in 1929 and 1931.  As a manager, Harris piloted the Detroit Tigers, Boson Red Sox, the Senators again, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Yankees.  With Bucky at the helm the 1947 Yankees won the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.  His teams won over 2000 games and he became known as a players' manager.  Bucky Harris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975 for his achievements as a manager.

Harris wants veteran players who are well versed in the fundamentals of the game.  He strikes an even balance between hitting, pitching, defense, and offense.  Bucky likes to have fast players on his teams and wants them to swing the bat to bang out base hits.  He is a manager who likes his players to steal a base but doesn't want them to bunt much.  He also will use the hit and run to get players in motion.  He is conservative to moderate in his use of defensive strategies and does not pinch hit or pinch run much at all.  Harris is slightly more prone to leaving his starters in while he allows his relief pitchers the opportunity to get out of jams.

Cito Gaston

Cito Gaston parlayed a playing career of some success (selected to the 1969 National League All-Star team) to a managing career with the Toronto Blue Jays where he achieved great success.  Gaston first played in the Majors for nine games in 1967 with Atlanta but became a regular outfielder with the San Diego Padres in 1969.  After six years with them he returned to Atlanta for three full seasons and a part of the fourth.  He ended his playing days with Pittsburgh in 1978.  In 1982 he became the hitting coach for the Blue Jays and held that position until 1989 when he succeeded Jimy Williams as manager in May of that year.  He achieved great success with them winning two American League pennants and two World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993.  After being fired near the end of the 1997 season Gaston interviewed but was not selected for several manager positions.  He returned to the Blue Jays as manager in 2008 and he continued in that role through the 2010 season.  

Gaston is a manager who does not believe in over managing.  He does not like to bunt or utilize the hit and run.  Yet, Cito has success with the stolen base and will have his players run quite a bit.  He prefers a set lineup with little pinch hitting.  Gaston wants his starters to go deep in the game and when using his relievers he will not be quick to replace them.  He also does not care too much about lefty/right matchups.  Personnel wise, Cito wants veterans on his team and places a strong emphasis on having good pitching and defense.  Likes to have his hitters take their swings while going for the long ball.

Dick Williams

Dick Williams was a utility player for thirteen seasons with many clubs and, while not considered a star, hit .260 in a career that encompassed over one thousand games.  Always an intense player, he was known as a bench jockey who constantly was on the opposing players.  He became a minor league manager in 1965 and was subsequently hired to manage the Boston Red Sox in 1967.  That year became famous for the rise to the top of the formerly mediocre Red Sox.  Though they did not win the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, their winning the American League pennant was considered a baseball miracle.  Williams received numerous plaudits but he eventually was fired in 1969 as the Red Sox could not follow up on his success.  With an in between stop as a coach with the Expos, Williams was hired to manage the Oakland Athletics in 1971.  His team lost the in the ALCS to the Orioles but came back to win the World Series in 1971 and 1972 against the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets respectively.  During the 1973 off season Williams quit as manager after disagreements with owner Charlie Finley.  Dick then managed for the California Angels, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners until finishing his managing career in 1988.  He never quite achieved the same level of success he had with the Athletics but his San Diego Padres did win the National League pennant in 1984.  They lost to the Detroit Tigers in five games but Williams became one of the few managers to win pennants in both leagues.  Dick Williams was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Dick likes to have talented prospects on his teams.  He doesn't particularly favor pitching over hitting but does like to have his team play good defense.  Power hitters are slightly more preferable than speedy players and he wants his batters to hit for average.  Williams will bunt a lot and steal a base when he can.  He does not like to pinch hit or pinch run and is moderate in his use of defensive strategies.  He doesn't like to pull his starters early and will neither keep in nor pull his relievers excessively.  Dick also does not use relief matchups to any great degree.

Al Lopez

Al Lopez was a successful Major League catcher who played for nineteen seasons with a variety of clubs including the Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Cleveland Guardians.  He made the National League All-Star Team twice and drew Most Valuable Player votes in seven seasons.  Although a player of ability, Lopez is better known as a manager whose teams were frequently the only ones who challenged the New York Yankees dynasty of the 1950's and early 1960's.  His Cleveland Guardians won the American League pennant in 1954 winning a then record 111 games.  He managed the White Sox to the pennant in 1959 breaking the Yankees streak of winning five pennants in a row.  Although his teams never won a World Series they were consistently strong.  Ten won more than ninety games while finishing first twice and second ten times.  Over seventeen years his teams had a winning percentage of .584 while winning 2425 games.  Al Lopez was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977.

Al wants veteran players on his club almost without exception.  His teams emphasize strong pitching and defense along with players who are fast on the bases.  He also likes his batters to get on base as much as possible while not relying solely on base hits.  Lopez likes to use the bunt and stolen base but really likes to use the hit and run.  On the pitching front, he wants his starters to go deep into the game and will keep his reliever in longer as well.  Al wants his pitcher to challenge hitters so he won't use the intentional walk much.  He is not concerned with lefty/right matchups.  

Billy Martin

As a player Billy Martin was known for being a good ballplayer whose intensity was matched only by the controversies that seemed to follow him throughout his career.  From the infamous Copacabana incident in 1957 that led to him being traded to the Kansas City Athletics to his well-known fight with St. Louis Brown's catcher Clint Courtney, Martin never backed down from anything or anyone who he believed was against him or his club.  He carried this attitude forward when he became a Major League manager.  Billy first managed at that level in 1969 with the Minnesota and in his first year won the division championship.  Let go after that season due to an altercation with one of his pitchers.  After a one year break from baseball Martin emerged as the manager of the Detroit Tigers in 1971.  His team finished first in 1972 but lost the ALCS championship series to the Oakland Athletics.  He was fired after the 1973 season and took over the reins of the Texas Rangers for the 1974 season and for half of the 1975 season.  He then was hired by the Yankees for the rest of the 1975 season and stayed with them until 1979.  His Yankees team one the American League pennant in 1976 and the World Series in 1977.  Following his Yankees stint Martin skippered the Oakland Athletics from 1980 to 1982.  He ended his managerial career with further time at the helm of the Yankees in 1983, 1985, and 1988.  A favorite with Yankees fans both as a player and a manager, Billy Martin remains one of the most recognizable baseball personalities of his time.

Billy is a manager who wants his players to be very aggressive while running the bases.  He does not particularly like the bunt but will steal a base and utilize the hit and run play.  He likes to keep his starters in as long as he can but has a quick hook with his relievers.  Martin really dislikes the intentional walk and is average in his consideration of lefty versus righty matchups.  Billy will use pinch hitters but not excessively.  He wants his team to have a heavy veteran makeup.  While slightly preferring pitching over hitting, Martin likes his batters to have pop in their bats.  He also strikes a balance between defense and offense.

Lou Piniella

Many managers cannot claim to have been very good ballplayers but Lou Piniella is an exception to this rule.  He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1969 with the Kansas City Royals and played on two World Series winners with the New York Yankees in 1977 and 1978.  He made the American League All-Star team in 1972 and received Most Valuable Player votes in four different years.  He sports a .291 career batting average over eighteen seasons and a .305 batting average in ten post season series.  After finishing his playing career Piniella managed for twenty three years in the majors with the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Chicago Cubs.  He won a World Series in 1990 with the Reds.  Overall, his teams won 1835 games in the years that he managed.  Lou was a fiery competitor who enjoyed great popularity both as a player and a manager.

Lou's teams are well balanced and seldom exhibit extremes in how they play the game.  They steal and bunt at a normal rate but will use the hit and run just a bit more than average.  He will use pinch hitters and pinch runners.  Piniella will use a quick hook with his starting pitchers but a slow one with his relievers.  He doesn't necessarily prefer veterans over prospects and vice versa.  Pitching, hitting, defense, and offense are equally valued.  Lou does like his batters to have power and to hit for average.

Clark Griffith

Clark Griffith was one of the rare baseball personalities who excelled in all three areas of the game.  He was a pitcher, manager, and executive for a time span which covered the years 1891 through 1955.  As a pitcher Griffith won 237 games during which he had seven seasons of winning more than twenty games.  He managed four different teams including the Chicago White Sox, New York Highlanders, Cincinnati Reds, and the Washington Senators.  His teams won 1491 games.  Griffith parlayed a ten percent ownership of the Washington Senators, which he acquired when he became their manager in 1912, into a position as President of the club.  Clark eventually purchased shares to the extent that he became owner of the Senators.  Griffith earned great respect from fellow players and owners during his career in baseball.  He eventually became an icon of the American League due to his longevity and success while serving in it at all levels.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1946.

Griffith is a manager who likes to use certain small ball strategies typical of the Dead Ball era but will eschew others.  He likes his runners to steal bases but is not someone who will use the bunt to any great extent.  He will use the hit and run but not to any great degree.  Clark does want his baserunners to be aggressive in order to try and create more runs.  For his era, Griffith has a quicker hook than most but will keep his relievers in for a while before replacing them.  He does not favor using pitching matchups.  Clark Griffith prefers a team made up of veterans.  Pitching and speed is preferable to hitting and power but he wants a balance between defense and offense. 

Wilbert Robinson

Wilbert Robinson was one of the fabled Baltimore Orioles which were hugely successful in the 1890's.  He was a tough and durable catcher who had some pop in his bat.  He hit .273 for his career and set milestones for getting seven hits in a game (a feat also achieved by Rennie Stennett).  He became the player-manager for the Orioles in 1902 but left to be a coach for his Orioles teammate John McGraw in 1903.  He remained a coach with the New York Giants through 1913 when he left to become manager of the Brooklyn team in the National League.  While with Brooklyn, Robinson became the face of the team and led them to two National League pennants in 1916 and 1920.  As a manager his teams won 1399 games and his personality was such that he became known as "Uncle Wilbert".  While generally not considered a great manager he was successful and gave Brooklyn prominence in a league dominated by the New York Giants and John McGraw.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Wilbert Robinson is a manager who wants to have a team comprised of veteran players.  He believes in strong pitching with fast runners.  Robinson likes his batters to draw walks and have some power.  Wilbert does not particularly care for bunting or stealing bases but will use the hit and run play.  He would like to use his starting position players extensively so he minimizes pinch hitting.  Starters are expected to go deep into the game and relievers should count on staying in also.  

Rube Foster

Rube Foster is generally acclaimed as the greatest of managers in the Negro Leagues.  Initially he was a renowned pitcher with the Union Giants and then subsequently the Leland Giants where he achieved great success.  He became player/manager of the Leland Giants in 1906 thus beginning a time of prolonged winning with the Giants.  In 1911 he formed the Chicago American Giants which he considered the greatest baseball team ever.  In this year Foster began a partnership with the son-in-law of Charles Comiskey, John Schorling.  Through Schorling Foster gained access to the former home of the White Sox, South Side Park.  The field had large dimensions which helped Foster in deciding what style of play his teams exhibited.  Rube was instrumental in the forming of the Negro National League in 1920 thus laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and organized way for teams to compete against each other.  His teams still did well in the 1920's but not to the level of accomplishments that they attained in the preceding decade.  His health started to deteriorate in 1925 and he eventually passed away in 1930.  Rube Foster was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Rube Foster had teams which took advantage of small ball type strategies except that he ratcheted up their frequency.  He wants his players to be aggressive on the base paths and he will use the bunt, steal, and hit and run frequently.  His pitchers are expected to be durable both as starters and relievers.  He doesn't like his hurlers to use the intentional walk or worry about whether left handed or right handed hitters are at bat.  Foster wants to have a veteran ballclub with players who are very aggressive on the base paths and who have a lot of speed.  He wants his team to have strong pitching, defense, and speed.  Swinging the bats and getting on base in that manner is favored by Rube Foster.

Miller Huggins

Many experts consider the 1927 New York Yankees to be the greatest baseball team of all time.  Anchored by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig the Yankees easily won the American League pennant and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.  Miller Huggins was the manager of that great team and deserves much of the credit for his work in leading the Yankees to the world title.  Huggins was a good player with both the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.  He was a second baseman who was considered a good fielder and a batter who could find a way to get on base.  He led the National League in walks four times and on base percentage once and his lifetime on base percentage was .382.  Miller became the player manager of the Cardinals in 1913 and had middling success with the club.  His last year at the helm saw the Cardinals finish third and, after his bid to buy the club failed, he took the reins of the Yankees.  Huggins took a club that had achieved nothing notable and changed them into one that was always a threat to win the World Series.  Under Huggins the Yankees won six American League pennants and three World Series titles.  Over time he instilled discipline and professionalism in the club, especially with Babe Ruth.  Miller Huggins was only fifty when he died in 1929 but the foundation he laid for the Yankees lasted for many decades.  Miller Huggins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.

Miller Huggins does not like the running game and will look to have players who can hit the long ball.  He favors neither pitching nor hitting and offense will trump defense.  He doesn't mind developing players.  Huggins likes the long ball and is offense oriented in that regard.  Has an equal interest in having good pitching and good hitters. 

Joe Torre

Joe Torre has led a stellar career both as a Major League ballplayer and as a manager.  He enjoyed an eighteen year career as a member of the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Mets.  He played several positions including catcher, first base, third base, and the outfield.  He made the National League all-star team nine times and won the Most Valuable player award in 1971.  After retirement from playing, Torre managed the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and St. Louis Cardinals before taking over as the skipper of the New York Yankees in 1996.  He embarked on a twelve-year run with the Yankees winning four World Series titles and six American League pennants.  His club made the playoffs every year of his reign.  Leaving the Yankees after the 2007 season, Torre was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers where he finished first his division in two out of his three years there.  Torre was voted the American League manager of the year twice and is considered one of the most successful managers of the modern era.

Torre's teams are not enamored of small ball type strategies.  They do not bunt much nor will they use the hit and run as often as some clubs.  He does use the steal, however.  His baserunners are not overly aggressive.  Joe will use the hook on his starters when he sees trouble but will give his relievers a bit more leeway.  Torre likes to have a solid group of veteran players who can get on base and hit for power.  He does not have any preference for defense over offense or pitching over hitting.

Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy brought joy to the San Francisco Giants by leading them to the 2010 World Series over the Texas Rangers.  This fabled franchise had not won the Series while in San Francisco and last earned the title in 1954 as the New York Giants.  Bochy began his Major League managing career in 1995 with the San Diego Padres after a mediocre career as a catcher and first basemen with the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres.  In his twelve seasons as manager of the Padres Bochy won one National League pennant but lost in the World Series to the New York Yankees.  He assumed the role of manager for the Giants in 2007 and they steadily improved each years until winning it all in 2010.  He was selected as the National League manager of the year in 1996.
Bruce Bochy is a manager who does not bunt or use the hit and run to any great extent.  He does not mind his players stealing a base but does not want them overly aggressive while running the bases.  He uses pinch hitters slightly more than normal and will employ pinch runners.  Bochy has a quick hook for both starters and relievers and believes in lefty/righty matchups as the game goes on.  Veterans are preferred as is speed on the bases.  He also likes his batters to have patience at the plate.

Billy Southworth

Billy Southworth was a successful Major League outfielder who also enjoyed success as a manager at the highest level.  He has a cup of coffee for the Cleveland Guardians in 1913 before playing sixty games for the same club in 1915.  In 1918 Southworth joined the Pittsburgh Pirates and player there for three seasons.  After three year with the Boston Braves he joined the New York Giants and stayed there until being sent to the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1926 season.  He finished the season there and starred for them in the 1926 World Series where they upset the New York Yankees in seven games.  Southworth hit .345 in the series that was marked by Grover Cleveland Alexander's famous strikeout of Tony Lazzeri in the seventh game.  He became player-manager of the Cardinals in 1929 but had problems being the manager of players of whom he formerly was a peer.  He was fired and stayed out of the Major League manager ranks until 1940 when he was hired by the St. Louis Cardinals after the firing of Ray Blades. He assumed the position full-time in 1941 and was very successful.  In 1942 the Cardinals won the World Series in 1942 over the favored New York Yankees and won the National League pennant in 1943 and 1944.  They lost a rematch to the Yankees in 1943 but defeated the St. Louis Browns in 1944.  Southworth took over as manager of the Boston Braves in 1946 and they won the pennant in 1948, although they lost to the Guardians in the World Series.  The 1949 season saw Southworth beset by rumored problems with players and with personal issues.  He returned in 1950 and for part of the 1951 season but did not achieve success.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Billy Southworth is a small ball oriented manager.  He will steal a base but he really loves the bunt and the hit and run.  He is not overly aggressive in baserunning.  Billy will use pinch hitting for both position players and pitchers.  His pitchers will not use the intentional walk much.  Billy's starters will be expected to put up a lot of innings.  He likes talented prospects who swing away and have speed on the base paths. He wants to have a strong defensive team on the field.

Pat Moran

Pat Moran was an average player who enjoyed more success in baseball as a manager.  He played for fourteen seasons, primarily as a catcher.  After his playing career was over he was hired as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies 1915 and his team promptly won the pennant.  They lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox in five games.  The Phillies finished second the next two years but sank to sixth in the 1918 season whereupon Moran was fired.  He took over the helm of the Cincinnati Reds in 1919 and led them to the National League pennant and a victory over the Chicago White Sox.  Although many consider the White Sox to have been the better team, Moran had fashioned a strong squad with a core of players who were the equal of any other team.  His Reds teams did not win the pennant again although they finished second twice and third once in the next four years.  He died in the off season after the 1923 baseball season was completed.  

Pat Moran prefers to have seasoned veteran players on his team.  He believes that strong pitching and defense is paramount.  Players are expected to swing the bat and get hits so they can use their speed on the bases.  He will bunt and steal a bit more than normal but not overuse the hit and run.  Pat wants his starters to pile up innings but will remove his relievers quickly if necessary.  He is not particularly concerned about lefty/righty matchups.




