On assignment for The Baltimore Sun in 1986, I watched a game with the Orioles' World Series-winning manager while he worked as a scout. Hear me read the feature story that resulted.
Hello John. I remember at the age of 17 being a little bit surprised when the Orioles fired Hank Bauer at the All-Star break in 1968. Even I figured Earl Weaver would eventually be the new manager, but I didn’t put much of the blame on Bauer for the Orioles’ record in the first half of 1968. They didn’t have the injured Jim Palmer and they didn’t have Mike Cuellar yet. Frank’s first half in ‘68 was very much subpar for him— the mumps and sore arm problems.
But who can argue with the results? the Orioles did so during Earl’s tenure for so many years, and he certainly put some spark in the club in the second half of ‘68 would bringing in Buford as their regular lead off batter. Hank said on stage at the reunion of the 1966 Orioles in 2006, “I left Earl Weaver a damn good club in 1968.”
All very true, Mark. Thanks for weighing in. Hank never managed again in the majors after a brief chance with the Kansas City A's in 1969. But he finished with a .522 career winning percentage, pretty good.
Hello John. I remember at the age of 17 being a little bit surprised when the Orioles fired Hank Bauer at the All-Star break in 1968. Even I figured Earl Weaver would eventually be the new manager, but I didn’t put much of the blame on Bauer for the Orioles’ record in the first half of 1968. They didn’t have the injured Jim Palmer and they didn’t have Mike Cuellar yet. Frank’s first half in ‘68 was very much subpar for him— the mumps and sore arm problems.
But who can argue with the results? the Orioles did so during Earl’s tenure for so many years, and he certainly put some spark in the club in the second half of ‘68 would bringing in Buford as their regular lead off batter. Hank said on stage at the reunion of the 1966 Orioles in 2006, “I left Earl Weaver a damn good club in 1968.”
All very true, Mark. Thanks for weighing in. Hank never managed again in the majors after a brief chance with the Kansas City A's in 1969. But he finished with a .522 career winning percentage, pretty good.
Yes they were in Oakland beginning in ‘68 and assembling their own cast of stars. Reggie, Campy, Catfish. Hank had that impatient owner named Finley!