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Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 09:21 am
by Hazelwood72
In a different thread, Strummer & I just rejected the idea of Yadi or Albert managing the Cards.

There aren’t many cases of stars becoming successful managers over the years.

Can you name any? Or can you name any pretty good players who became successful managers?

I’ll name the few that I can recall:

Stars or Borderline Stars:
Dusty Baker
Joe Torre (although his Yankees were stacked)
Red Schoendienst ( 60’s Cards also stacked)
Davey Johnson
Don Mattingly
Lou Pinella

But I struggle to come up with other former stars or semi-stars who were successful managers beyond those 6. And can’t really recall one successful SUPERstar.

When I think of great long-term managers since the 1960’s, names like Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Dick Tanner, Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog, Tony LaRussa, etc, all who were journeymen at best or barely even major leaguers.

Anyone else have names of reasonably accomplished players who became successful managers? Btw, I’d even argue Red might not qualify since he didn’t manage the Cards a real long time.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 09:34 am
by sp25
I believe Red managed the Cardinals for over 10 years.

Ted Williams won Manager of the Year in Washington.

All great players:
Gil Hodges
Al Dark
Harry Walker
Bob Lemon
Casey Stengel
Bucky Harris
John McGraw

Old School player-managers:
Rogers Hornsby
Frankie Frisch
Frank Chance
Lou Boudreau

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 09:40 am
by sp25
sp25 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 09:34 am I believe Red managed the Cardinals for over 10 years.

Ted Williams won Manager of the Year in Washington.

All great players:
Gil Hodges
Al Dark
Harry Walker
Bob Lemon
Casey Stengel
Bucky Harris
John McGraw

Old School player-managers:
Rogers Hornsby
Frankie Frisch
Frank Chance
Lou Boudreau
Plus Yogi Berra!

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 11:21 am
by rockondlouie
Superstar
W. Johnson
Pitcher
G.O.A.T. IMO

Washington:
4 seasons
350-264
.570 winning %
Three straight seasons with 92 or more wins

Cleveland:
3 seasons
179-168 record
.516 winning %

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 11:58 am
by Clubmaker2
It is a good question. However when talking you need to also know the resources on hand. Example, Was joe Torre a bad manager at STL or was ownerships decision to put their money into I think it was , Danny "the body" Jackson who was recovering from thyroid cancer or something, the bigger issue?

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 12:24 pm
by jcgmoi
Frank Robinson managed for 17 years, Ted Williams for 4. Both are inner circle HoFers.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 14:30 pm
by Carp4Cy
Hazelwood72 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 09:21 am In a different thread, Strummer & I just rejected the idea of Yadi or Albert managing the Cards.

There aren’t many cases of stars becoming successful managers over the years.

Can you name any? Or can you name any pretty good players who became successful managers?

I’ll name the few that I can recall:

Stars or Borderline Stars:
Dusty Baker
Joe Torre (although his Yankees were stacked)
Red Schoendienst ( 60’s Cards also stacked)
Davey Johnson
Don Mattingly
Lou Pinella

But I struggle to come up with other former stars or semi-stars who were successful managers beyond those 6. And can’t really recall one successful SUPERstar.

When I think of great long-term managers since the 1960’s, names like Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Dick Tanner, Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog, Tony LaRussa, etc, all who were journeymen at best or barely even major leaguers.

Anyone else have names of reasonably accomplished players who became successful managers? Btw, I’d even argue Red might not qualify since he didn’t manage the Cards a real long time.
Dave Roberts wasn't a star by any means but he was familiar name during his career. 243 SBs. 80 runs scored and 13 triples for the Giants in 2006. Definately a contributor.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 14:32 pm
by Carp4Cy
jcgmoi wrote: 07 Jul 2025 12:24 pm Frank Robinson managed for 17 years, Ted Williams for 4. Both are inner circle HoFers.
Also Walter Johnson, and of course Rogers Hornsby and Ty Cobb.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 14:58 pm
by ScotchMIrish
I don't know of anybody who was HOF both as manager and player but certainly Joe Torre and Red Schoendienst were stars during their playing days and HOF managers.

Torre made 9 all star games. MVP in 1971 getting MVP votes several times. Managed Yankees to 6 world series winning 4.
Schoendienst 10 all star games. Managed Cardinals to 2 world series winning 1.

Baker good manager and legit player but only made 2 all star games.

Connie Mack was certainly the most successful manager but played in 1800's. Final season was 1896. Stats indicate probably not a star as a player. He was a catcher who interfered with the batter intentionally and was responsible for getting catcher's interference rule enacted.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 15:02 pm
by Cardinals4Life
Hazelwood72 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 09:21 am In a different thread, Strummer & I just rejected the idea of Yadi or Albert managing the Cards.

There aren’t many cases of stars becoming successful managers over the years.

Can you name any? Or can you name any pretty good players who became successful managers?

I’ll name the few that I can recall:

Stars or Borderline Stars:
Dusty Baker
Joe Torre (although his Yankees were stacked)
Red Schoendienst ( 60’s Cards also stacked)
Davey Johnson
Don Mattingly
Lou Pinella

But I struggle to come up with other former stars or semi-stars who were successful managers beyond those 6. And can’t really recall one successful SUPERstar.

When I think of great long-term managers since the 1960’s, names like Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Dick Tanner, Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog, Tony LaRussa, etc, all who were journeymen at best or barely even major leaguers.

Anyone else have names of reasonably accomplished players who became successful managers? Btw, I’d even argue Red might not qualify since he didn’t manage the Cards a real long time.
Just because there may not have been many doesn't mean you reject Albert or Yadi simply because of that!
There aren't that many players who played like them either. Some people are gifted!

I vote for the first ever co-managers: Yadi/Albert tag team this organization and bring it back to greatness!

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 15:52 pm
by Hazelwood72
jcgmoi wrote: 07 Jul 2025 12:24 pm Frank Robinson managed for 17 years, Ted Williams for 4. Both are inner circle HoFers.
Wow, I knew F. Robby managed the Indians, but didn’t recall that he managed for 17 years! He was definitely a superstar.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 15:56 pm
by Hazelwood72
ScotchMIrish wrote: 07 Jul 2025 14:58 pm I don't know of anybody who was HOF both as manager and player but certainly Joe Torre and Red Schoendienst were stars during their playing days and HOF managers.

Torre made 9 all star games. MVP in 1971 getting MVP votes several times. Managed Yankees to 6 world series winning 4.
Schoendienst 10 all star games. Managed Cardinals to 2 world series winning 1.

Baker good manager and legit player but only made 2 all star games.

Connie Mack was certainly the most successful manager but played in 1800's. Final season was 1896. Stats indicate probably not a star as a player. He was a catcher who interfered with the batter intentionally and was responsible for getting catcher's interference rule enacted.
Connie Mack managed for many, many years. His secret for not getting fired? He owned the Philadelphia Athletics when he was manager!!!

The other piece of Connie Mack trivia is that he was the last MLB manager to wear street clothes while managing. He didn’t wear a uniform. Usually wore suit, tie, and straw hat.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 17:43 pm
by 45s
Cardinals4Life wrote: 07 Jul 2025 15:02 pm
Hazelwood72 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 09:21 am In a different thread, Strummer & I just rejected the idea of Yadi or Albert managing the Cards.

There aren’t many cases of stars becoming successful managers over the years.

Can you name any? Or can you name any pretty good players who became successful managers?

I’ll name the few that I can recall:

Stars or Borderline Stars:
Dusty Baker
Joe Torre (although his Yankees were stacked)
Red Schoendienst ( 60’s Cards also stacked)
Davey Johnson
Don Mattingly
Lou Pinella

But I struggle to come up with other former stars or semi-stars who were successful managers beyond those 6. And can’t really recall one successful SUPERstar.

When I think of great long-term managers since the 1960’s, names like Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Dick Tanner, Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog, Tony LaRussa, etc, all who were journeymen at best or barely even major leaguers.

Anyone else have names of reasonably accomplished players who became successful managers? Btw, I’d even argue Red might not qualify since he didn’t manage the Cards a real long time.
Just because there may not have been many doesn't mean you reject Albert or Yadi simply because of that!
There aren't that many players who played like them either. Some people are gifted!

I vote for the first ever co-managers: Yadi/Albert tag team this organization and bring it back to greatness!
It’s telling that no other clubs have pursued either one as a manager or coach.

If they are as “gifted” as you say, one would think they would have had many opportunities.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 19:45 pm
by 12xu
Hazelwood72 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 15:52 pm
jcgmoi wrote: 07 Jul 2025 12:24 pm Frank Robinson managed for 17 years, Ted Williams for 4. Both are inner circle HoFers.
Wow, I knew F. Robby managed the Indians, but didn’t recall that he managed for 17 years! He was definitely a superstar.
A tremendous player who won the Triple Crown and MVP with the Orioles in '66, and MVP with Cincinnati in '61. His managerial career was not so successful, as he managed 4 different teams but never got any of them into the playoffs. He did get a Manager of the Year award with Baltimore in '89.

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 19:48 pm
by Absolut
Hazelwood72 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 09:21 am In a different thread, Strummer & I just rejected the idea of Yadi or Albert managing the Cards.

There aren’t many cases of stars becoming successful managers over the years.

Can you name any? Or can you name any pretty good players who became successful managers?

I’ll name the few that I can recall:

Stars or Borderline Stars:
Dusty Baker
Joe Torre (although his Yankees were stacked)
Red Schoendienst ( 60’s Cards also stacked)
Davey Johnson
Don Mattingly
Lou Pinella

But I struggle to come up with other former stars or semi-stars who were successful managers beyond those 6. And can’t really recall one successful SUPERstar.

When I think of great long-term managers since the 1960’s, names like Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Dick Tanner, Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog, Tony LaRussa, etc, all who were journeymen at best or barely even major leaguers.

Anyone else have names of reasonably accomplished players who became successful managers? Btw, I’d even argue Red might not qualify since he didn’t manage the Cards a real long time.
If this is true, we have a roster of future managers

Re: Superstars or even Stars as Successful Managers

Posted: 07 Jul 2025 19:50 pm
by ScotchMIrish
Hazelwood72 wrote: 07 Jul 2025 15:56 pm
ScotchMIrish wrote: 07 Jul 2025 14:58 pm I don't know of anybody who was HOF both as manager and player but certainly Joe Torre and Red Schoendienst were stars during their playing days and HOF managers.

Torre made 9 all star games. MVP in 1971 getting MVP votes several times. Managed Yankees to 6 world series winning 4.
Schoendienst 10 all star games. Managed Cardinals to 2 world series winning 1.

Baker good manager and legit player but only made 2 all star games.

Connie Mack was certainly the most successful manager but played in 1800's. Final season was 1896. Stats indicate probably not a star as a player. He was a catcher who interfered with the batter intentionally and was responsible for getting catcher's interference rule enacted.
Connie Mack managed for many, many years. His secret for not getting fired? He owned the Philadelphia Athletics when he was manager!!!

The other piece of Connie Mack trivia is that he was the last MLB manager to wear street clothes while managing. He didn’t wear a uniform. Usually wore suit, tie, and straw hat.
Correct and he wore that in the heat of summer with no air conditioning. More trivia - at Shibe Park in Philadelphia outside the right field wall people would sit on the roof of buildings and watch the game. People affiliated with that seating would stand in ticket lines and offer fans cheaper tickets atop those buildings. In response Connie Mack installed a high wall in right field to block the view.

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