Bill Virdon, R.I.P.

Former MLB player and manager Bill Virdon passed away today at the age of 90. No cause of death was released.

The Missouri born Virdon was signed by the New York Yankees prior to the 1950 season as an outfielder with centerfield as his primary position. But with Mickey Mantle patrolling center field at Yankee Stadium, Virdon was going nowhere in the Yankees organization. Prior to the 1954 season, Virdon was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal which brought Enos "Country" Slaughter to the Yankees.

Virdon made the Cardinals in 1955. His presence forced Stan Musial to first base. Virdon hit .281 with a career high 17 HR and 68 RBI and was named NL Rookie of the Year. However, Virdon would slump in 1956 and the Cardinals hastily traded Virdon to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he would remain for the balance of his playing career. Although Virdon did not approach the numbers he had in his rookie season, he was a solid contributor and was an integral part of the Pirates World Series championship team in 1960. Virdon formally retired after the 1965 season although he would briefly comeback as a player during the 1968 season while he was member of the Pirates coaching staff. In 12 seasons, Virdon collected 1596 hits for a lifetime batting average of .267 with 91 HR and 502 RBIs earning a Gold Glove in 1962.

In 1971, Virdon would earn his second World Series ring as a member of the Pirates coaching staff under Danny Murtaugh. When Murtaugh retired due to health reasons prior to 1972, Virdon was handed the managerial reigns. Virdon would lead the Bucs to a NL East title but would fall to the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. But following the death of Roberto Clemente, the decline of ace Steve Blass and conflicts with players such as Richie Hebner and Dock Ellis, Virdon would be fired before the end of the 1973 season.

But Virdon would not be out of a job for long as George Steinbrenner hired him to manage the Yankees in 1974. After guiding the Bronx Bombers to a respectable second place finish in the AL East, Virdon was named AL Manager of the Year. But the mercurial Steinbrenner would abruptly fire Virdon when Billy Martin became available. But again Virdon would not be out of work for long before the Houston Astros came calling and would manage the team late into the 1982 season. After coming close to winning the NL West title in 1979, the Astros would win the NL West in 1980 before falling short to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS. Virdon would win NL Manager of the Year. The Astros would make the post-season during the strike shortened 1981 season but fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. Although dismissed by the Astros during the 1982 season, Virdon remains the winningest manager in franchise history. Virdon would manage the Montreal Expos in 1983 and 1984. In 12 seasons as a big league manager, Virdon went 995-921.

Although Virdon would never manage again, he did coach at the big league level under Larry Dierker with the Astros and under Jim Leyland and Lloyd McClendon with the Pirates. I leave you with Virdon sharing his memories of the 1971 World Series champion Bucs. R.I.P.