Eddie Stanky
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Edward Raymond (Eddie) Stanky (September 3, 1916 - June 16, 1999), nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs (1943-1944), Brooklyn Dodgers (1944-1947), Boston Braves (1948-1949), New York Giants (1950-1951), and St. Louis Cardinals (1952-1953).
Born in Philadelphia, Stanky was famous for his ability to draw walks; he drew 100 walks in 6 seasons, twice posting 140. In 1946, Stanky hit just .273, but his 137 walks allowed him to lead the league in OBP with a .436 figure. His best season was probably in 1950 with New York, when he hit an even .300 and led the league in walks (144) and OBP (.460). On August 30 of that year, he tied a Major League record when he drew a walk in seven consecutive plate appearances. He accomplished the feat over a two-game span.
Stanky was also (in)famous for what came to be called "the Stanky maneuver", where he would take advantage of his position on second base to distract batters by jumping up and down and waving his arms behind the pitcher.
An intense competitor, Stanky managed the Cardinals from 1952 through the middle of the 1955 season, and the Chicago White Sox from 1966 through mid-1968. In between, he also spent time as a coach for the Cleveland Indians and a member of the front offices of the Cardinals and the New York Mets. After almost a decade as head baseball coach at the University of South Alabama, he returned to the majors as manager of the Texas Rangers in 1977, winning his debut game. But, having second thoughts about leaving his adopted state of Alabama, he immediately resigned. His career managerial mark was 467-435 (.518).
Stanky died at age 82 in Fairhope, Alabama.
- Baseball-Reference.com - career playing statistics and managing record
- The Deadball Era
| Preceded by Marty Marion |
St. Louis Cardinals Manager 1952-1955 |
Succeeded by Harry Walker |
| Preceded by Al Lopez |
Chicago White Sox Manager 1966-1968 |
Succeeded by Les Moss |
| Preceded by Frank Lucchesi |
Texas Rangers Managers 1977 |
Succeeded by Connie Ryan |
Categories: 1916 births | 1999 deaths | Major league second basemen | Boston Braves players | Brooklyn Dodgers players | Chicago Cubs players | New York Giants baseball players | St. Louis Cardinals players | National League All-Stars | Major league players from Pennsylvania | Baseball player-managers | Chicago White Sox managers | St. Louis Cardinals managers | Texas Rangers managers