A Roundup of Major League Managers

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

by Donald Beard, March 28, 2012

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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.

Davey Johnson, 69, Washington Nationals

Major League Baseball’s oldest current manager was once one of its youngest; he managed the 1984 New York Mets when he was 41 (and his oldest player, Rusty Staub, was 40). Johnson returned to the dugout after a 10-season absence when the Nationals’ Jim Riggleman quit near the midpoint of last season. World Series titles: 1 (1986, New York Mets)
Other pennants: 0 — Jonathan Newton/Washington Post/Getty Images

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Next: These 7 skippers round out the list of 50+ managers. »

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Terry Collins, 62, New York Mets

The national pastime has taken Collins around the world; he’s also managed in Mexico, Venezuela, China and the Dominican Republic. Not bad for a light-hitting utility infielder who never made it to the majors.