Wednesday, March 22, 2017

RIP - Dallas Green


With great sadness I am posting that long-time Phillies' organizational soldier Dallas Green passed away today (March 22, 2017) at age 82.


Green played for the Phillies from 1960 to 1964, then spent some time with the Mets and Senators, before returning to the Phillies for his final season in 1967.

Green then went to work assisting Paul Owens in running the Phillies' farm system. After Owens' promotion to GM in 1972, Green took over the farm system, until being named Phillies' manager in late 1979.

He managed the Phillies for the 1980 and 1981 seasons, "coaxing" all the varied personalities to the 1980 World Series championship.

After 1981 he moved to the Cubs as a front-office executive. He later managed the Yankees in 1989 and the Mets from 1993-96, before returning to the Phillies as a senior advisor.


To me, the "Old-school Phillies' Way" was personified by Paul Owens, Dallas Green, John Vukovich, and Larry Bowa. Three of those four are now gone.

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia story

ESPN obituary
.

Friday, March 17, 2017

RIP - Bob Bruce


1960s' pitcher Bob Bruce passed away on March 15, 2017 at age 83.


Bruce played for the Tigers, Colt .45s/Astros, and Braves from 1959 to 1967.

Beginning his career with Detroit, his best years were from 1962-66, when he was a workhorse starter for the Colts/Astros. In a 1964 game, he struck out the side on only 9 pitches (1 day after Sandy Koufax had done the same). He was also the starting pitcher in the first game played in the Astrodome.

After the 1966 season Bruce was traded to the Braves for veteran 3rd baseman Eddie Mathews, and retired after the season.

Houston Chronicle obituary

Post from a Houston-area blog
 .

Monday, March 13, 2017

RIP - Bill Hands


1960s' Cubs' starting pitcher Bill Hands passed away on March 9, 2017 at age 76.


Hands began his career with the Giants, pitching in the minors from 1959-65, along with 4 games for the Giants in 1965.

Traded to the Cubs, he was a key member of their rotation from 1966 to 1972, winning 16, 20, and 18 games from 1968 to 1970.

Hands also played for the Twins from 1973-74 and the Rangers from 1974-75.

Obituary from Bleed Cubbie Blue blog

Obituary
.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Stars of the 1960s: Frank Robinson


Sixth in a series... 


After 10 years with the Cincinnati Reds (including winning the Rookie of the Year award in '56 and the MVP in '61), Frank Robinson was traded to the Orioles prior to the 1966 season, and led them to their first-ever World Series appearance (and championship) in his first season there. As icing on the cake, he also won the Triple Crown and the MVP award that year. For good measure, he led the AL in runs scored too!

Robby was also a 12-time All-Star (6 with the Reds, 5 with the O's, and once with the Angels).