Markusen: Oakland’s mad managerial search in 1973-74
From SABR member Bruce Markusen at The Hardball Times on November 20, 2017:
The ongoing managerial search being conducted by the New York Yankees could be called “Stranger Things.” In the aftermath of the somewhat surprising firing of Joe Girardi, general manager Brian Cashman has compiled a list of candidates that comes with little rhyme or reason.
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In some ways, the Yankees’ managerial saga is reminiscent of what happened with the Oakland A’s after they won their second consecutive World Series in 1973. Right after the Series, manager Dick Williams announced his resignation. For him, the last straw was the way that team owner Charlie Finley mistreated Mike Andrews. Finley essentially fired Andrews in the middle of the Series, using the phony excuse of an alleged shoulder injury. Ultimately, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn determined that Andrews was healthy and ordered Finley to reinstate Andrews, but by then, the owner had completely alienated Williams and his players.
Williams’ resignation upset Finley, who then prevented him from becoming manager of the Yankee, on the basis that he still had a signed contract to work for Oakland. Finley hoped Williams would change his mind and return to the A’s, but the owner nonetheless embarked on a frantic search for a new manager. That search would last for nearly four months and would involve a revolving door of candidates, including several Hall of Fame brand names.
Read the full article here: https://www.fangraphs.com/tht/cooperstown-confidential-oaklands-mad-managerial-search-of-1973-74/
- Related link: Read articles from SABR’s book on the 1972-74 Oakland A’s dynasty at the SABR BioProject
Originally published: November 20, 2017. Last Updated: November 20, 2017.