Philadelphia Phillies Favorites: Managers

No one can ever say the Phillies managers didn’t have unusual and colorful ways. Most were more colorful than successful.

 

Phillies managers (excluding interims) held their post for an average of 2.4 years. Only 16 have lasted four or more years.

 

Thirty-eight came to the Phillies with no managing experience, and 36 never managed in the majors again.

 

Among those who managed the Phillies were the man who is called the “Father of Baseball,” an alleged bigamist, a former medical student, a dentist, three future umpires, a former Phillies ticket-taker, a vaudeville singer, a college professor, the son of a former Phillies player, the owner of baseball’s highest-single season batting average, three Hall of Famers, and two All-Star shortstops.

 

The best managers are the ones that are most remembered.

 

10. Larry Bowa (2001-2004)

 

Bowa, a former All-Star shortstop, was a fiery, intense manager whose aggressiveness sometimes got in the way of his managing. He also would publicly criticize his players.

 

He never led the Phillies to the playoffs, though he often was close.

 

9. Bill Shettsline (1898-1902)

 

The former Phillies ticket-taker was actually a very successful manager. During the five seasons he managed, he only had on losing season.

 

The overweight Shettsline was once so happy over his team’s victory that on the way home he reportedly “fell out of the carriage and got a mud bath.”

 

8. Eddie Sawyer (1948-1952, 1958-1960)

 

The former college professor led the Wiz Kids to the National League pennant in 1950. Sawyer said, “I tried to treat my players like I wanted to be treated when I was a player.”

 

Sawyer only had two winning seasons with the Phillies and quit the team after one game in 1960.

 

7. Pat Moran (1915-1918)

 

Pat Moran was a good manager not only because he led the Phillies to the World Series, but also because he instilled many fundamentals that were overlooked in his day.

 

Moran was a former backup catcher for the Phillies. He banned gambling from the clubhouse and was the manager of the 1919 Cincinnati Reds, who won the World Series against the Chicago Black Sox.

 

6. Harry Wright (1884-1893)

 

Hall of Famer Harry Wright is called the “Father of Baseball” because he managed the first professional baseball team. He also created flannel uniforms, colored stockings, and knickered pants.

 

During his time in Philadelphia, he had a record of 636-566. Seven of his 10 seasons were winning seasons.

 

5. Jim Fregosi (1991-1996)

 

Fregosi, the other All-Star shortstop, was a “player’s manager” because he let his players play their game without interfering.

 

He led the Phillies to their fifth pennant in 1993.

 

4. Gene Mauch (1960-1968)

 

Mauch is the Phillies winningest manager, with 646 wins. He is also has the most losses with 684. He ranks 12^th on the all-time managerial wins list.

 

He was the pilot of the Phillies during the 1960s when people thought they were going to take off but never did. He is most remembered for the 1964 collapse.

 

3. Danny Ozark (1973-1979)

 

Ozark was an easy going man, who had frequent verbal blunders. He often doesn’t get credit for leading the Phillies to three-straight division titles. He also had two consecutive 100-win seasons as manager of the Phillies.

 

2. Dallas Green (1979-1981)

 

Green whipped and hollered the Phillies to their first World Series title. He was often complimentary when a player did something good.

 

He had a screaming fit late in the 1980 season and turned the club around. He led the Phillies to two division titles.

 

1. Charlie Manuel (2005-present)

 

I don’t know if people will agree with me on this one, but who is better? So far, Charlie Manuel has led the Phillies to the playoffs twice, and everyone knows that he led them to their second World Series title in 2008.

 

Manuel is an easy going guy who loves hitting. He starred in Japan as a hitter and has helped the Phillies batting tremendously.

 

At first, Phillies fans ridiculed Manuel and people wanted him out of Philadelphia. Then, he led the team to a division title in 2007 and to the World Series in 2008. He is a fan favorite in Philly and will definitely lead the team for years to come.

 

His managerial record with the Phillies is currently 411-334.