Red Sox: All-Star team of managers who also played for the franchise

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BOSTON – 1903. The 1903 Boston Red Sox pose for portraits made into this team photo collage by the Sporting Life newspaper in 1904. Cy Young, second row down, far left, and manager and third baseman Jimmy Collins, center, are the team’s stars. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

Pitcher

Before they were the Red Sox they were the Boston Americans. In 1907, the Americans started the season with a pitcher as manager. The pitcher had some experience in baseball since they eventually named a pitching award after Cy Young. Young went 3-3 in his managerial début before the team moved to George Huff (2-6), Bob Unglaub (9-10, and settled on Deacon McGuire (45-61).

Young made his mark for the seventh-place team with a 21-15 record at 40-years-old. Unglaub played first base and hit .254 for the season, but led the Americans with 62 RBI. McGuire – a catcher – started as a player in 1884 and got into a handful of games getting three hits. McGuire also started the 1908 season as player-manager and was gone from the managerial duties after going 53-62.

In 1909, Young and McGuire reunited in Cleveland with McGuire taking over the helm late season from Nap Lajoie and Young on the mound delivered a 19-15 season for the 71-82 Naps. But back to Young and his manager’s role.

In late March the Americans player-manager Stahl committed suicide. Young reluctantly assumed the role. In a stroke of managerial brilliance, Young chose himself to start opening day in Philadelphia, tossed a complete game, and the manager had his first win with the Americans winning 8-4.

Next. Red Sox all-time washed up All-Star team. dark

Young knew a good thing and when the Americans opened at home on April 16th at the Huntington Avenue Grounds Young again took the hill and defeated Washington 4-2 with another complete game. Young never managed again after his six games.

Sources: Personal library and SABR

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