A Roundup of Major League Managers

As they chase a pennant, these 'Boys of Summer' draw on years of wisdom

by: Donald Beard, from: AARP, March 28, 2012

The Boys of Summer? That may be an apt description of Major League Baseball players. But in charge of every team is a boy who has seen quite a few summers: the Skipper, the Old Man, the Major League manager.

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Some of them were star players in their day; others never made it out of the minor leagues. The former stars usually don’t have to wait long to take over a team. The career minor leaguers generally serve lengthy apprenticeships coaching and managing farm teams before becoming big league coaches — and then wait even longer to get their big break.

Here’s a look at 14 of the 21 AARP-eligible major league managers ready to steer their squads through this coming season. Come Opening Day on April 4, their 50th birthdays will be behind them — but their best days in baseball may still lie ahead.

Bud Black, 54, San Diego Padres

Was a big league pitcher for 15 seasons; now starts his sixth year as the Padres manager. Was NL manager of the year when San Diego won 90 games in 2010; last year they won 71.

World Series titles: 0
Pennants: 0 — Andy Hayt/Getty Images

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