The Big Post About Hall Of Fame Managers

    Most of the players I advocate for would "fit in" with the current crop of Hall of Famers. The standard I tend to use is the one given to us by history, and I usually write about players who compare favorably with those already in Cooperstown. With managers, it is a little different. In my opinion, there are too many managers in the Hall of Fame, many of doubtful pedigree. However, there are some managers outside of the Hall who I would be fine with, a couple who I think should be inducted, and a couple who would fit in with the established standard for managers. Let's take a look at all the greatest managers in MLB history and determine which ones were Hall-worthy. 

The Elite 

Tony LaRussa (2,884 wins, six pennants, three world championships) 

John McGraw (2,763 wins, ten pennants, three world championships) 

Bobby Cox (2,504 wins, four pennants, one world championship) 

Joe Torre (2,326 wins, six pennants, four world championships, plus a near-Hall worthy career as a player) 

Sparky Anderson (2,194 wins, five pennants, three world championships) 

Joe McCarthy (2,125 wins, nine pennants, seven world championships, MLB record .615 career winning percentage) 

Walter Alston (2,040 wins, seven pennants, four world championships) 

Harry Wright (1,225 wins, six pennants, managed first professional baseball team in 1869) 

The Rank And File 

Connie Mack has by far the most wins as a manager with 3,731... but also by far the most losses with 3,948, giving him a .486 winning percentage. So although he managed for 53 years, finally retiring at age 87, Mack was ultimately a below average manager. However, at the time of his induction in 1937, he was already the record holder for career manager wins, a nine time pennant winner, a five time world champion, and had a career winning percentage well over .500. After his induction, however, Mack managed several dreadful A's teams that eroded his winning percentage. Given his resume at the time of his induction, and the fact that, as owner and manager, he built up (and tore down) his club on his own, I am fine with him in the Hall of Fame. 

Casey Stengel won 1,905 games, lost 1,842, and tied 19 for a career winning percentage of .508, a bit low for a Hall of Famer. He was a sub-.500 manager before he joined the Yankees in 1949, the team he would lead to ten pennants and seven world championships in the next dozen years. Obviously, he had some magnificent horses in his chariot, so the run of dominance cannot be fully attributed to him, and he hurt his reputation by managing some deplorable Mets teams in the early 1960's before he was fired. It's hard to say no to a seven time world champion, but he is far from elite. 

Fred Clarke had a fantastic career as a player, batting .312 and providing stellar defense from 1894 through 1915, ultimately earning him a Hall of Fame plaque in 1945. For most of his career, Clarke worked as a player-manager, winning 1,602 games (.576 winning percentage) over 19 seasons while capturing four pennants and a world championship in 1909. 

Earl Weaver revolutionized the managerial role, keeping vastly more detailed notes about opposing players and matchups than previous managers. Weaver's constant attention to detail led win to a .583 winning percentage, four pennants, and a world championship in 1970. 

Miller Huggins followed a fairly successful playing career with an even better managerial career, winning 1,413 games (.555 w%), six pennants, and three world championships in 17 seasons. His resume could be even more impressive if not for his tragic death near the end of the 1929 season. 

As a player, Al Lopez was one of the top defensive catchers in history, ranking fourth in career caught stealing percentage (.541), 20th in double plays (137), and 29th in assists (1,115). As a manager, Lopez skippered two of the best teams of his generation; the 111-win 1954 Cleveland Indians and the "Go Go" 1959 Chicago White Sox. All told, his managerial record was 1,410 - 1,004 - 11 (.584 w%). 

Cap Anson, inducted as a player in 1939, was one of the greatest ever to take the field, batting .334 over a 27 year career with 2,075 RBI's, fifth on the all time list. Also a successful manager, he won 1,295 games (.578 w%) and five NL pennants. However, despite his many accomplishments on the diamond, he may have done more to hurt the game than help it (https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/07/lucky-hall-of-famer-number-4-cap-anson.html). 

Frank Selee was the first Hall of Fame manager never to play in the Major Leagues. The owner of 1,284 wins and a .598 winning percentage, Selee won five NL pennants during the 1890's. 

Hughie Jennings, best known as baseball's all-time hit by pitch king, was one of baseball's best players at the turn of the 20th century, batting .312 for his career and playing marvelous defense at shortstop. Inducted as a player in 1945, Jennings also found success as a manager, winning 1,184 games and three consecutive AL pennants from 1907 through 1909. 

Billy Southworth, a decent player in the 1910's and 1920's, managed thirteen seasons for the Cardinals and the Braves, winning four pennants and two world championships. His career record is 1,044 - 704 - 22, a bit low in the wins department but good for a sparkling .597 winning percentage. 

Okay...Fine! 

Bucky Harris had a career record of 2,158 - 2,219 - 33 for a winning percentage of .493, and you know how I feel about managers with sub-par winning percentages in the Hall of Fame... However, Harris should not be glanced over merely on account of his winning percentage. In 1924, he became the youngest non-interim manager in history up to that point, playing and managing for the Washington Senators full-time at the age of 27, leading the team to the world championship. The next year, he captured another AL pennant, this time falling to the Pirates in seven games. Not a selfish player-manager like some, Harris was always willing to sacrifice his at bat for the team when the situation called for it (in fact, he led the AL in sacrifices three times as a player-manager). He eventually managed for 29 seasons, winning another world championship in 1947 with the Yankees, but he also managed some bad teams, dragging his winning percentage under .500. While I remain uncomfortable with his low winning percentage, I guess the Hall can live with him. 

Bill McKechnie managed in the Big Leagues for 25 years, starting as a player-manager in 1915 for Newark in the Federal League, compiling a career record of 1,896 - 1,723 - 28, giving him a .524 winning percentage, a low number but not too bad given his win total and some of the other managers in Cooperstown. While McKechnie has four pennants and two world championships to his name, he also has the distinction of managing the worst team in modern NL history - the 1935 Boston Braves, who went 38-115 despite finishing fourth the previous season with largely the same roster. Considering the fact that he's already in the Hall of Fame, I don't want to clamor too loudly that he shouldn't be, but he is not an ideal Hall of Fame manager. 

Inducting Wilbert Robinson solely as a manager was foolish. His managerial record of 1,399 - 1,398 - 21 puts him on the lower end in both wins and winning percentage among Hall of Fame managers; in fact, he managed for 19 seasons, but was only one game better than .500 for his entire career. Uncle Robbie won two NL pennants, but lost the World Series each time. However, Robinson was a pretty good player, batting .273 from 1886 through 1902. A catcher, he worked well with pitchers, and was one of the first full-time pitching coaches from 1903 through 1913 before taking on a managerial role. I guess if you include what he did as a player and a coach, then he may be deserving, but not solely as a manager. NO. 

The Lucky Hall Of Famers 

Leo Durocher has quite the resume as a manager, but his associations with known gamblers cost him all of the 1947 season. If Pete Rose was kicked out of baseball for life for gambling, then why is Durocher in the Hall of Fame? https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/11/lucky-hall-of-famer-number-37-leo.html 

Jim Leyland, the Hall's newest inductee, was a pretty bad choice. His career record of 1,769 - 1,728 - 2 gives him only a .506 career winning percentage, and the wins are only 18th on the all-time list, so he shouldn't get away with his low winning percentage like Mack and Harris did. Additionally, there seems to be a lack of hardware in his trophy room - three pennants and one world championship (albeit a good one) probably aren't enough to put him over the top. I never thought of him as a Hall of Fame candidate, shrugged him off when I saw his name on the Contemporary Era ballot (https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/11/2024-contemporary-hall-of-fame-ballot.html), and was shocked when he was elected (https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/12/2024-contemporary-era-hall-of-fame.html). 

Tommy Lasorda, in addition to a career record of 1,599 - 1,439 - 2 (.526), was famous for his explosive temper tantrums, which stunted the careers of many players, particularly pitchers. https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/12/lucky-hall-of-famer-number-41-tommy.html 

Dick Williams, quite simply, had too short a career to overcome his .520 winning percentage. He had a career record of 1,571 - 1,471 - 1, winning two pennants and two world championships. https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/08/lucky-hall-of-famer-number-21-dick.html 

Whitey Herzog had a career record of 1,281 - 1,125 - 3, giving him a .532 winning percentage. He led the Cardinals to three pennants and one world championship in 1982. I just don't think Herzog had enough success to merit induction; like Williams, he was good, but his career was too short and his winning percentage too ordinary. https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/09/lucky-hall-of-famer-number-27-whitey.html 

Ned Hanlon had a career record of 1,313 - 1,164 - 53 (.530) and gained some infamy by being the ringleader of the hated Baltimore Orioles in the 1890's. https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/11/lucky-hall-of-famer-number-39-ned-hanlon.html 

Not Yet Eligible 

In addition to a fine playing career as a catcher (he was considered the best ever at blocking the plate from oncoming runners), Mike Scioscia had a great career as a manager, winning 1,650 games and the Angels' lone world championship in 2002. He spent the entirety of his 19 year career with the Angels, enduring the franchise's numerous ups and downs, and finding much success with a historically unsuccessful ballclub. 

Joe Maddon's career resume would fit in with many managers already enshrined in Cooperstown (1,382 wins, .532 winning percentage, two pennants, one world championship), not necessarily one that I'd support but certainly a fine career. However, Maddon will be forever remembered in baseball history as the one who broke the curse of the billy goat, leading the Cubs to their first world championship in 108 years in 2016, the longest championship drought in American sports history. Although I care nothing for the Cubs, this accomplishment is just too significant to leave Maddon out of Cooperstown, given his otherwise respectable career. 

I know, I know, Bruce Bochy has a sub-.500 regular season winning percentage as of this post, but it's over .500 if you include the postseason and will almost certainly climb above that mark in 2024. Best known for winning three world championships in five years with the Giants in the 2010's, Bochy won a fourth ring with the Rangers this year and has over 2,000 career wins. In addition, he is also the most successful manager in Padres history, winning a franchise record 951 games and a NL pennant in 1998. 

In addition to a fine playing career that included 242 homers and nearly 2,000 hits, Dusty Baker is one of the finest managers in MLB history, winning 2,183 games and three Manager of the Year Awards. Although he had previously won two pennants, Baker finally captured his long awaited world championship with the Astros in 2022. He followed up with another successful season in 2023 before his retirement after dropping his toothpick against Bochy's Rangers in the ALCS. He should make the Hall of Fame with little trouble. 

Terry Francona has a career record of 1,950 - 1,672 (.538). Only slightly less impressive than Maddon's Cubs are Francona's 2004 Red Sox, who broke an 86 year World Series drought by sweeping the 105-win Cardinals. Ironically, he was also the manager who Maddon beat in his curse-breaking 2016 season, as Francona's Indians fell to the Cubs in seven games (and are now the team with the longest World Series drought). Whether he breaks another 75 year drought or not, Francona should make it to Cooperstown. 

On The Bubble 

Davey Johnson would be a good addition to the Hall of Fame. He played 13 seasons in the Majors, making four all-star teams and hitting 43 homers in 1973, at the time the single season record for a second baseman. As a manager, he won 1,372 games and had a .562 career winning percentage, well above the Hall of Fame average. Johnson led the Mets to a world championship in 1986 and won two Manager of the Year Awards, one in each league. He appeared on the 2024 Contemporary Era Hall of Fame ballot, failing to gain entrance. He'd be an okay Hall of Famer, certainly better than Leyland, who gained election on the same ballot. 

The Overlooked 

Danny Murtaugh had a great managerial career that could have been much better if not for recurring health problems that forced him to step down on multiple occasions, eventually killing him in 1976 at age 59. What he was able to accomplish was impressive enough, including a lifetime record of 1,115 - 950 - 3 (.540 w%), all with the Pirates, and two world championships (1960 and 1971). https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/02/why-i-think-danny-murtaugh-should-be-in.html 

Charlie Grimm, one of the select few to have played and managed over 2,000 games each, found much success with a pitiful franchise - the Chicago Cubs. He spent the majority of his 20 year playing career with the Cubs, posting a .290 lifetime batting average. As a manager, he led the Cubs to pennants in 1932, 1935, and 1945, their last flag until 2016. "Jolly Cholly" later managed the Braves to three winning seasons before returning to the Cubs in 1960, where he closed out his career. Overall, Grimm had a record of 1,287 - 1,067 - 14, good for a .547 winning percentage. The original Mr. Cub gave over 20 years of service to his club, and his Hall of Fame case should be taken seriously. 

Steve O'Neill played in the Major Leagues from 1911 through 1928, winning the World Series with the Indians in 1920 and earning a reputation as an outstanding defensive catcher. As a manager, he had a career record of 1,040 - 821 - 18, a little low in the wins column but good enough for an impressive .559 winning percentage. O'Neill took over a sub-par Tigers team in 1943, immediately turned them into winners, and made them world champions in 1945. Given what he did as both a player and manager, I would like to see O'Neill in Cooperstown someday. https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2020/09/why-i-think-steve-oneill-should-be-in.html 

Honorable Mentions 

Ralph Houk won four World Series as a backup catcher for the Yankees from 1947 through 1954, and two more as their skipper from 1961 through 1973, except for a couple years in between when Yogi Berra and Johnny Keane were at the helm. He later managed the Tigers and the Red Sox, finishing up in 1984 with a career record of 1,619 - 1,531 - 7 (.514 w%), three pennants, and two world championships. Although I don't see a need to induct him, he would fit in well with many managers already enshrined. 

Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle's roommate during their playing days, won five World Series as a player and was an all-star in 1956. As a manager, he went 1,253 - 1,013 - 1, good for a .553 winning percentage. He was largely responsible for bringing the Yankees out of their lean 1965-75 period and back into championship form, winning back to back pennants in 1976 and 1977 and taking home the trophy in the latter campaign. However, Martin always had a harsh temper, which led to him being fired five times. He particularly struggled with Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, who fired him twice. Martin managed his last game in 1988, shortly before his death in an auto accident on Christmas Day 1989. I don't feel the need to actively advocate Martin's case, but I'd be fine if he were eventually inducted. 

Felipe Alou was a Major League outfielder from 1958 through 1974, and a good one at that, making three all-star teams and twice leading the NL in hits. After a Hall of Very Good career as a player, he managed for a decade above the border, becoming one of the few managers to find any kind of success while piloting the Montreal Expos. Alou later managed the Giants for four seasons, won 100 games in 2003, and finished up in 2006 with a managerial record slightly over .500 (1,033 - 1,021 - 3, .503 w%). If you combine his playing and managing career, plus his role as patriarch of the famed Alou family, then I guess he deserves at least a look. 

Charlie Manuel managed twelve seasons in the Majors, compiling a record of 1,000 - 826 (.548 w%). He led the Phillies to back to back pennants in 2008 and 2009, taking home the franchise's second world championship in 2008. I don't think the Hall needs him, but he found much success as manager of the Phillies, not something a lot of men can say :) 

Please Don't Elect Him! 

Lou Piniella appeared on the 2024 Contemporary Era Hall of Fame ballot, falling only one vote short of induction. I can't really understand why he keeps getting so close to getting in - despite a hefty win total (1,835 of them), Piniella had merely a .517 career winning percentage and only one pennant, when he led the 1990 Reds to a world championship (although he did manage the 116-win 2001 Mariners). Additionally, he had quite the reputation as an umpire screamer, hat thrower, and base kicker, earning him the facetious nickname "Sweet Lou." I wouldn't vote for him. 

I don't really know why the heck Cito Gaston was on the 2024 Contemporary Era Hall of Fame ballot. Other than his back to back championships in 1992 and 1993 with the Blue Jays, Gaston only managed two full winning seasons, ending his career with 894 wins and a .516 winning percentage. Any takers? 

Conclusion 

On a final note, I tried to keep this post as objective as possible, focusing primarily on results. However, to get the results that typically warrant induction into the Hall of Fame, a manager need not be the best if he has the right team. After all, the players are the ones who run and hit and field and throw, not the skipper. With that in mind, what makes a truly Hall-worthy manager? I like certain managers more than others in terms of strategy; for example, I like the way Bruce Bochy handles his pitchers way more than Dave Roberts does, and I like Earl Weaver's offensive tactics far better than Jim Leyland's. However, putting guys in the Hall solely on personal preference is inaccurate, not to mention selfish. That said, I think it's only fair to judge managers based solely on their results, their reputations, and their impact on the game.