Accomplishments
- Versatile performer as a professional baseball player, manager, coach, scout and inventor.
- Played with the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics as a utility outfielder and infielder.
- Began managing in 1947 while still playing the game.
- Guided three pennant winners at Twin Falls in the Pioneer League (1949), Montgomery in the South Atlantic League (1951) and Denver in the American Association (1960).
- Became a major league manager with the Chicago Cubs in 1962, sharing the position with Elvin Tappe and Lou Klein in what was dubbed the “College of Coaches.”
- Joined the Chicago White Sox as a scout in 1963 and 1964.
- Became a White Sox coach in 1965.
- Managed Tulsa – the St. Louis Cardinals’ farm club – to the 1966 Eastern Division title in the Pacific Coast League.
- Joined the Cincinnati Reds as a scout and in 1968 became director of player procurement for the expansion Kansas City Royals.
- Managed the 1970 Royals for 54 games.
- Developed a device to help hitters work on their swings while living in Nanty Glo as a youth. Forerunner to today’s batting tee.
- Contributed to the design of the Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field by suggesting that home and visitors batting cages be installed under the grandstand.
- Published his book “Safe by a Mile” with writer Tom Altherr in 2002.
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