100 years ago, Milwaukee Brewers lose a Hall of Fame manager
From SABR member Dennis Pajot at Seamheads.com on October 2, 2012:
Managers have been fired in baseball since the beginning, so that the Brewers would let a manager go in 1912 is not a big story. But very seldom was the situation aired out in the press as this story was. As the Milwaukee Brewer manager story of late 1912 involves a future Hall of Fame player, I thought it might be of interest.
Hugh Duffy had been hired as the Brewer manager by owner Charles Havenor in November 1911 to replace Jimmy Barrett, who had resigned. Duffy had managed the Milwaukee American League entry in 1901, and the Western League Milwaukee Creams in 1902 and 1903, winning the Western League pennant in 1903. Since then he managed the Philadelphia Phillies three years, then two years in Providence of the Eastern League. (Duffy owned a third interest in the Providence club, holding it until December 1911, when the club was sold for $72,000; $10,000 going to Duffy.) In 1910 Duffy took over the reins of the Chicago White Sox, and managed the Sox again in 1911. The White Sox of 1911 had a record of 77 and 74.
There were stories throughout the year that owner Charles Comiskey had been unhappy with Duffy as his manager. On October 23 the Chicago Tribune announced that according to reports from “unquestionable sources” Chicago native Jimmy Callahan was to manage the White Sox in 1912, and Duffy would take over the Des Moines “farm” club for the Sox, having a controlling interest in the club. Duffy’s job would be to train and develop young players for the White Sox. The next day Comiskey confirmed Callahan as his new manager, however, admitted Duffy had not made up his mind to accept the Des Moines position. A report out of Boston said Duffy had resigned his job in Chicago after a contract had been offered him, while others were saying he was disposed of. Sporting Life reported Duffy left Chicago with poor grace, as he thought that Comiskey should have retained him for another season in view of the White Sox victory over the Cubs in the fall Chicago City Series.
Read the full article here: http://seamheads.com/2012/10/02/brewers-lose-a-manager-100-years-ago/
Originally published: October 2, 2012. Last Updated: October 2, 2012.