Former Phillies Manager Gene Mauch Dies

Gene Mauch, who won more games than any other manager in Phillies history, passed away on Monday after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He died at 3:45 p.m. (PT) at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. Mauch was 79 years of age. Read the official news release from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Born in Salina, KS, November 18, 1925, Mauch was an all-city infielder for Fremont High School in Los Angeles. He began his professional baseball career as a shortstop in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in Durham, NC in 1943. Mauch played for six major league clubs, including the Dodgers, Pirates, Cubs, Braves, Cardinals and Red Sox from 1944 to 1957, posting a .239 batting average. Despite playing just five games for the Dodgers in 1944, he was their Opening Day shortstop at the age of 18.

Mauch accepted his first managerial post with the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association in 1953 at the age of 28. He managed Minneapolis of the American Association for two seasons (1958-59) before his first major league assignment with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1960.

Mauch went on to manage 26 seasons with the Phillies (1960-68), Montreal (1969-75), Minnesota (1976-80) and California (1981-82 & 1985-87). He finished with a 1,901-2,037 career record and led the Angels to AL Western Division Titles in 1982 and 1986. Mauch was named National League Manager of the Year in 1962, 1964 with the Phillies and 1973 in Montreal. He was the winning manager in the 1965 All-Star Game.

On Major League Baseball's all-time managerial list, Mauch is tied for fifth in managerial service (26 years), sixth in games managed (3,938) and 11th in wins (1,901). He finished 379-332 as the Angels manager, the best winning percentage (.533) in club history. Mauch's 379 wins are third most in club history, behind Bill Rigney (625 - 9 seasons) and Mike Scioscia (489 - 5-plus seasons).

With the Phillies, Mauch managed 1,331 games, won 645 and lost 684, all club records. Yet, he was burdened with the Phillies losing the 1964 pennant after leading by six and one-half games with 12 games to go. The Phillies lost 10 straight before winning the final two games.

"He taught a lot of people how to play baseball, how to think ahead in the game," said Bobby Wine, who played 12 seasons under Mauch. "He felt you could learn something every day. I don't know of a better strategist. He knew the rules better than umpires.

"One time, Jim Bunning was having trouble with a baseball. The umpires wouldn't give him a new one. Gene came out to the mound, dropped the ball on the ground and spiked it with his shoes. Bunning got a new baseball."

Mauch was one of the first managers to employee double switches. "Another time, I was playing shortstop and Gene came out to take out the pitcher. He told me I was out of the game, too. I said, 'Why me? I didn't give up the home run.' It was the first time I was involved in a double switch," remembered Wine.

"On many of the teams, we really didn't have a lot of talent. But, we always battled which was a credit to Gene. Heck, in 1964, Richie Allen and Johnny Callison were the only true every day players," said Wine.

"I learned how to play the game from Gene," said Tony Taylor. "He taught us how to play the game the right way and win. He was a great manager and great teacher. I owe him a lot and I will miss him."

"He was so far ahead of everyone and knew the rules better than anyone and used that to his advantage," said Dallas Green. "He respected the game very much and taught all of us how to play good, sound, fundamental baseball."

"Gene manipulated his players on the field better than anyone I ever played for," said Clay Dalrymple. "He knew which players he had on the bench and their strengths. In 1964, he would put Ruben Amaro, a shortstop, in for defense at first base in the ninth inning and Ruben would make a great play to save the game."

"Listening to Gene talk baseball was like listening to the Philadelphia orchestra. Pure entertainment," said Larry Shenk, Phillies Vice President, Public Relations. "He carries the burden of the '64 Phillies but if it wasn't for Gene's managing, we would have never been in position to win the thing."

Mauch is survived by his wife Jodi and daughter Leeanne.