J.D. Cuban/Allsport
MLB players who became great managers sprinkle the landscape of baseball, both in the past and today. This was something we pondered as Spring Training warms up across the heartland of America. In most cases, not all, many less-than-mediocre players became pretty good managers in baseball. There are two reasons for this. First, there are guys who absolutely love the game of baseball and digest every moment of it. They eat, live, and breathe the sport. The problem was, they didn't have enough natural ability to play at a high level like some of their peers. They can't walk away from the game when their time is up as a player. Then, they begin to teach, coach, and manage. They share what they've learned over the years. The second reason is, as a mediocre player, they probably didn't earn as much as their peers so managing is a way to earn a paycheck. Others who were great and earned hundreds of millions of dollars have no need for the grind of daily managing.
MLB PLAYERS WHO MANAGED
The reason we got on this topic today is because it is Tiger Hall of Famer Alan Trammell's 66th birthday. He played his entire 20 year career with the Tigers. He later managed them and the Diamondbacks as well. So today's trivia on Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida is about players who later managed in the Big Leagues. Good luck!
TRIVIA TIME:
- This guy played for the Braves, Cardinals, and Mets before managing the Yankees to 4 World Series titles? JOE TORRE
- This Yankee first baseman managed the Dodgers and Marlins? DON MATTINGLY
- This player was cut by the Dodgers to make room for Sandy Koufax but then managed the Dodgers to two World Series titles? TOMMY LASORDA
- This player caught for 5 MLB teams and then over-managed to the point of causing 4-hour games with the Marlins, Yankees, and Phillies? JOE GIRARDI
- This third baseman was a .225 hitter for the Yankees but was a 4-time manager of the year with the Braves? BOBBY COX
- This outfielder won a World Series with the Dodgers and finally won one with the Astros in 2022? DUSTY BAKER
- This player hit a walk-off homer in the 2003 ALCS and is the current skipper of the Yankees? AARON BOONE
- This former catcher has won 4 World Series while managing the Giants and Rangers? BRUCE BOCHY
- This all-time hits leader once managed the Reds? PETE ROSE
- This Red Sox outfielder was a war hero and managed the Washington Senators? TED WILLIAMS
