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America’s Pastime and Italian American MLB Managers
Post-WWII saw the emergence of Italian Americans in sports leadership roles as managers and coaches. After his illustrious 18-year major league career concluded, catcher and infielder Joe Torre became manager of the New York Yankees in 1996. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Torre led the Yankees to 10 American League Eastern Division crowns, five American League pennants, and four World Series titles.(1) Joe Torre was one of the greatest Yankee managers of all time. He remains a hometown favorite with fans and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.(2)
Pennsylvania native Tommy Lasorda will always be associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team he managed for 20 years. With Lasorda at the helm, the Dodgers won over 1,500 games, including two World Series. In 1997, Lasorda was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.(3)
Jim Fregosi became MLB’s first million-dollar player when he signed with the Houston Astros in 1980.(4) After retirement, Fregosi managed four major league teams, winning the 1993 National League Pennant with the Philadelphia Phillies.(5)
After Larry Bowa’s 17-year major league playing career ended, he managed both the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Phillies, Bowa won the National League’s “Manager of the Year” in 2001 and retired as manager in 2004.(6)
