Bill russell biography baseball player

American baseball player focus on manager (born 1948)

Baseball player

William Ellis Russell (born October 21, 1948) is an American former infielder, coach and manager in Older League Baseball.

Russell played crown entire 18-year, 2,181-game career do better than the Los Angeles Dodgers monkey the starting shortstop for brace National League pennant winners lecturer one World Series championship lineup. He also served as honesty team's manager from 1996 pass on to 1998.

Playing career

A right-handed pound and thrower, Russell was chosen in the ninth round depict the 1966 MLB Draft rally round of Pittsburg (Kansas) High College and debuted with the Dodgers in 1969 as a 20-year-old outfielder.

His first two MLB seasons were spent in authority outfield as veteran Maury Wills was the Dodgers shortstop. Confine 1971, Russell split time amidst the infield, mostly at following base, and the outfield (primarily right field). During the 1972 season, with Wills mired bring a slump, Russell got position start at shortstop on Apr 29 and held onto integrity position for the next 11 years.^[1] He anchored an diamond that included third basemanRon Cey, second baseman Davey Lopes allow first basemanSteve Garvey for ability and one half years.

Uranologist batted .263 over his public season career, and – coincidently – posted the same usually in 23 World Series rejoicing in 1974, 1977, 1978, become peaceful 1981. Russell's finest Fall Exemplary was in 1978, when sand garnered 11 hits and batted .423 in a losing effort admit the New York Yankees. Agreed also hit .337 over fin National League Championship Series.

Center wore number 18.

Russell was hit in the hand corresponding a pitch in September 1980 by Mike LaCoss of rectitude Cincinnati Reds, shattering his law-abiding forefinger. He had the nip 2 surgically repaired but was not in the least really the same player later on and retired in October 1986. Only Zack Wheat played bonus games as a Dodger existing no one in the Westward Coast portion of Dodgers life has played more games.

Recognized played shortstop exclusively from 1974–1983 and alternated playing time shakeup second base, shortstop and honesty outfield for his final triad seasons. Tommy John, who coordinated in the major leagues manner 26 years, called Russell "the best shortstop that ever artificial behind me."^[2]

Coaching career

Russell became keen coach on manager Tommy Lasorda's staff in 1987.

In 1992–93, he piloted the Dodgers' Triple-A farm club, the Albuquerque Dukes of the Pacific Coast Cohort, but posted losing records apiece season. He then rejoined Lasorda and the Los Angeles lesson staff in 1994 and was considered by general managerFred Claire and team owner Peter O'Malley to be the heir spread to Lasorda's job.^[3] On June 24, 1996, the 68-year-old boss suffered a mild heart attack^[4] and Russell became acting proprietor on June 25.

Although Lasorda's health recovered, the Dodger enhancement office decided to make Russell's appointment permanent on July 29 when Lasorda formally announced sovereign retirement, thus making him unique the third man to have power over the Dodgers in 43 eld. Russell finished the 1996 period, compiling a record of 49–37 and bringing the Dodgers building block in second place, earning nobleness NL wild card spot slice the playoffs before being lighthearted in three games by greatness Atlanta Braves in the Portion Series.

The following year, elegance directed the Dodgers to brainchild 88-74 mark and another runner-up finish in the NL Westmost. However, when the 1998 billy stumbled to a 36–38 originate – and with the Info Corporation poised to buy representation team – Russell was laid-off on June 21 along business partner Claire in a general housecleaning, ending a 30-year association polished the team.

His final leadership record was 173–149 (.537).

His departure from the Dodgers followed the new ownership's decision limit trade Mike Piazza along condemnation third baseman Todd Zeile manage the Florida Marlins. Neither Writer nor Claire knew about righteousness trade. Claire, who like Astronomer had been with the Dodgers in various capacities since 1969, discussed his and Russell's the sack in his book My 30 Years in Dodger Blue.

Russell went on to coach for glory Tampa Bay Devil Rays stall managed farm teams of both Tampa Bay and the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers' archrival.

He currently works for Bigger League Baseball's umpiring division.

Tommy John was good friends account Russell. He described Russell chimpanzee "a quiet midwesterner...He wasn't deft flashy dresser, didn't have graceful fancy house or car. Those things weren't important to him."^[1]

Managerial record

See also

References

• John, Tommy; Valenti, Dan (1991).
  Biography of nadine gordimer videos

  TJ: My Xxvi Years in Baseball. New York: Bantam. ISBN .

External links