Danny Murtaugh
| Birthdate | 10/08/1917 |
| Death Date | 12/02/1976 |
| Debut Year | 1957 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Pirates |
| Position | Manager |
A two-time World Series champ as a manager, Danny Murtaugh finished with a higher winning percentage than eight Hall of Fame skippers.
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Danny Murtaugh became at big league manager for Pittsburgh at age 39 in 1957
Danny Murtaugh became at big league manager for Pittsburgh at age 39 in 1957
When Danny Murtaugh retired as a player after 17 professional seasons, he quickly turned to managing. He got his start when Hall of Fame GM Branch Rickey hired him to pilot the Double-A New Orleans Pelicans. After three seasons he moved up to Triple-A as the manager of the Charleston Senators.
It was in this capacity that Murtaugh signed this letter in 1955. The 38-year old skipper of the Senators advises pitcher Ross Grimsley to come into camp in shape and ready to compete. Murtaugh signed the bottom of the letter. Correspondence from Murtaugh before he was a big league manager rarely surface.
Murtaugh’s ascent to the majors came quickly. In a cost-cutting move, Murtaugh was fired from Charleston. Pirates GM Joe Brown offered Murtaugh the manager’s position at Double-A Williamsport. Before he reported there, a position opened on the Pirates’ staff. Murtaugh was in the majors once more.
In 1956, Pittsburgh fired manager Bobby Bragan. GM Brown asked bench coach Clyde Sukeforth to take the job. Instead Sukeforth recommended Murtaugh. When he took over, the Pirates’ record stood at 36-67. Murtaugh rallied the troops to go 26-25 the rest of the way.
Murtaugh soon became a beloved figure in Pittsburgh. In 15 years at the helm, he led the Pirates to five division championships and two World Series titles. He retired after the 1976 second-place finish due to health reasons and desire to spend more time with his family. Murtaugh suffered a stroke December 1st and died the next day.
Danny Murtaugh guided the 1960 Pirates to an improbable World Series championship
Danny Murtaugh guided the 1960 Pirates to an improbable World Series championship
By 1960, Danny Murtaugh was a 42-year old with three years experience as a major league manager. The pitching staff featured a pair of aces in Cy Young Award winner Vern Law and 18-game winner Bob Friend. In the back end of the bullpen was fireman Roy Face who posted 24 saves and 10 wins.
The offense was led by 1960 batting champ and MVP Dick Groat. All Stars Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski anchored the outfield and infield respectively.
The team won 11 of its first 14 games on its way to a 95-win season. In the World Series they faced off against Casey Stengel‘s heavily-favored New York Yankees. The Bronx bombers boasted a offense with MVPs Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, and Bobby Shantz. Hurlers include Cy Young Award winners Shantz, Whitey Ford, and Bob Turley.
The Pirates won the opener 6-4 behind Law’s 7 strong innings. Face shut the door in the final two. Games 2 and 3 were a route. The Yankees outscored Pittsburgh by a combined tally of 26-3. The Pirates rebounded to edge NewYork 3-2 in Game 4 behind Law and Face once more. Harvey Haddix held the Yankees at bay in Game 5’s 5-2 Pittsburgh victory.
Game 7 was a high-scoring back-and-forth affair. The Yankees scored two in the 9th to tie the score at 9 apiece. Bill Mazeroski led off the 9th. On Ralph Terry’s 1-0 pitch, Man crushed the ball over the left field wall for a World Series-winning walk-off homer.
Though the Yankees more than doubled the Pittsburgh run output outscoring them 55-27, the Pirates were World Champions of baseball.
Shown here is a letter signed by Murtaugh, the manager of one of the most improbable champions in history. It guarantees the Bucs skipper a wristwatch for appearing on the Braves pregame show on April 24, 1970. That night Murtaugh’s Pirates lost a 9-0 laugher to the Atlanta Braves.
Among Pirates managers only Hall of Famer Fred Clarke has more wins than Murtaugh
Among Pirates managers only Hall of Famer Fred Clarke has more wins than Murtaugh
Though Danny Murtaugh’s health issues precluded him from managing longer, his 1,115 wins as Pirates skipper remains second on the franchise list. Only Cooperstown’s Fred Clarke has more than the 1,115 Murtaugh has to his credit.
Danny piloted the Pirates for 15 seasons and never worked for another club. His first stint with the club lasted form 1957-1964 before health problems pushed him out. He returned for 78 games in 1967, then again from 1970-1976.
On November 30, 1976 two months after retiring, Murtaugh suffered a stroke. He passed away two days later at age 59.
Clarke helmed the Pittsburgh club for the first 16 years of the 20th century. During his run the Pirates won four National League pennants and the 1909 World Series. He left the Steel City with 1,422 wins as Pittsburgh skipper and 1,602 victories overall.
In the letter shown above, Clarke also thanks NL president Ford Frick for a lifetime pass to all Senior Circuit games. Dated April 6, 1936, the letter is a nice correspondence between two Cooperstown men. For a brief history of Lifetime Passes through the years, click here.
Many believe Danny Murtaugh has the credentials for Cooperstown consideration
Many believe Danny Murtaugh has the credentials for Cooperstown consideration
Danny Murtaugh’s managerial record certainly seems to warrant inclusion in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. His Pirate teams finished first or second seven times. Murtaugh helped Pittsburgh to 5 division championships and won two World Series titles. Armed with a winning percentage better than eight managers already enshrined, Murtaugh might find induction via the Veterans Committee.
In the collection is this 1970 Topps card signed by Danny Murtaugh. After leaving the field to become an executive in 1967, Murtaugh saw the wealth of talent in the Pirate farm system and sought a return as manager for the 1970 season. He guided Pittsburgh to an Eastern Division title in ’70 followed by a second World Series title in 1971.
Fifteen of the 23 managers with 2+ World Series rings are in the Hall of Fame
Fifteen of the 23 managers with 2+ World Series rings are in the Hall of Fame
Danny Murtaugh is among the select group of 23 managers who’ve guided teams to more than one World Series title. Fifteen of those 23 skippers are in the Hall of Fame. Murtaugh is still on the outside looking in.
Many remember his 1960 Pirates team that beat the Yankees in the Fall Classic. Despite being outscored 55-27, Murtaugh’s Pittsburgh club beat New York four times. The Series was decided on Bill Mazeroski’s Game 7 walk-off homer.
Murtaugh’s second ring came in 1971 against Earl Weaver’s Orioles. The Pirates were led by Series MVP Roberto Clemente who led both teams in batting with a .414 average. His 12-for-29 performance included two doubles, a triple, and two home runs.
In the collection is this letter from baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn. The baseball head man writes about the unique place his sport’s marquee event resides in America.
“The World Series is the premier event of American Sports.
“No other event has been able to capture it’s special appeal or match its magnificent history.”
The Hall of Fame baseball chief then references the Pirates victory that earned Murtaugh his second World Series ring.
“Never in the previous 68 Series has its penchant for dramatics been better displayed than in the superb 1971 encounter between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles.”
