Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
February 09, 2007
Hank Bauer Passes

Hank Bauer passed away today:

Bauer died in the Kansas City area, where he made his home, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said.

During 14 seasons in the major leagues, a career that spanned from 1948-61, Bauer became a three-time All-Star outfielder, helping the Yankees win seven World Series titles and nine AL pennants. He spent his first 12 seasons with the Yankees and his final two with the Kansas City Athletics.

In his final Series appearance, he hit .323 with four homers and eight RBI as the Yankees beat the Milwaukee Braves in seven games in 1958.

Bauer managed the Kansas City A's to ninth-place finishes in 1961 and 1962, then took over as manager of the Orioles in 1964.

I remember hearing this story on a Yankees broadcast when I was young. After Bauer started managing the Orioles, the Yankees came to town one day, and Mantle and Bauer went out on the town. Mantle was so hung over the next day he wasn't in the starting lineup. Late in the game, Mickey was put in to pinch hit. Bauer walks to the mound and tells the pitcher about the night out and Mantle's hangover. Bauer's advice was to throw the ball down the middle, Mantle would be an easy out. Mickey, of course, hits a home run and the Yankees win the game.

Unfortunately, the story can't be true. Mantle never hit a home run against a Bauer managed team in a game he didn't start.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

It seems like a lot of ballplayers are dying lately.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:41 PM | Deaths | TrackBack (0)
Comments

God bless Hank Bauer.

Posted by: Brandon at February 22, 2007 04:14 PM
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