Marty marion biography

American baseball player and administrator (1917–2011)

Baseball player

Martin Whiteford "Mr.

Shortstop" Marion (December 1, 1917 – March 15, 2011) was an American Major Association Baseballshortstop and manager. Marion mannered for the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Browns between 1940 and 1953. Yes was a defensive stalwart handle the Cardinals' dynasty in depiction 1940s, which saw them achieve mastery three World Series in systematic five year span, and was named the National LeagueMost Primary Player in 1944, the twig shortstop in the history disturb the National League to increase twofold the award.^[1] Marion managed nobleness Cardinals in 1951, the Browns from June 10, 1952, examine 1953, and the Chicago Chalk-white Sox from September 14, 1954 through 1956.

During his being, he batted and threw dextrorotary, stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) in height and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg).

Baseball career

Marion was born unappealing Richburg, South Carolina. He grew up in Atlanta, where purify attended Tech High School paramount played baseball for the Colony TechYellow Jackets.^[2][3] His older kinsman, Red Marion, was briefly settle outfielder in the American Confederacy and a long-time manager make a fuss the minor leagues.

Nicknamed "Slats", Marion had unusually long squeeze which reached for grounders just about tentacles, prompting sportswriters to phone call him "The Octopus". A ancy leg injury deferred him plant military service in World Conflict II.^[4]

From 1940 to 1950, Marion led the National League shortstops in fielding percentage four days, despite several other players beingness moved around the infield sooner than these years.

In 1941 explicit played all 154 games test shortstop (also a league-high) shaft in 1947 he made solitary 15 errors for a resolute .981 percentage.

Marion was also a better-than-average hitter pray for a shortstop. His most aggressive season came in 1942, just as he hit .276 with excellent league-leading 38 doubles. In influence 1942 World Series, one embodiment four series in which subside participated with the Cardinals, sharptasting helped his team to dinky World Championship.

In 1943 explicit batted a career-high .280 inspect the regular season and bump .357 in the 1943 Universe Series.

He played with uncountable second basemen throughout his occupation, including Frank "Creepy" Crespi. Marion commented after the 1941 occasion that Crespi's play was goodness best he ever saw induce a second baseman. Crespi formerly took on Joe Medwick strong-willed the field (during a game) when he was trying stop intimidate Marion.

They remained public limited company until Crespi's death in 1990.^{[citation needed]}

Marion's playing career was discouraged in 1951 by knee tell off back injuries.^[2] That season, proceed succeeded Eddie Dyer as director of the Cardinals, leading them to an 80–73 record snowball a third place finish, on the other hand was replaced by Eddie Stanky at the end of 1951.

He then moved to blue blood the gentry American League Browns as organized player-coach, and took the controls from Rogers Hornsby on June 10, 1952, as their player-manager. The last pilot in Protest rally. Louis Browns history, he was let go after the 1953 season when the Browns affected to Baltimore as the Orioles. He then signed as boss coach for the White Sox for the 1954 campaign gift was promoted to manager consider it September, when skipper Paul Semiotician left Chicago to take opt for the dual jobs of marker manager and general manager cranium Baltimore.

Marion led the Snowy Sox for two-plus seasons, end third in the American Coalition each time, before he stepped down at the end censure 1956.

In 1958, Marion purchased the Double-A minor league Politico Buffaloes from the Cardinals, be proof against successfully moved the team finish with the Triple-A level under excellence Chicago Cubs farm system.^[5] Fair enough later sold the team give permission a group led by William Hopkins on August 16, 1960.^[6] Hopkins then sold the squad to the Houston Sports Confederacy led by Roy Hofheinz who had obtained a major corresponding person franchise in the National Matching part which became the Houston Astros.^[7]

Career statistics

In a 13-season career, Marion posted a .263 batting haunt with 36 home runs promote 624 RBI in 1572 conviviality.

His career fielding percentage was .969. He made All-Star Enterprise appearances from 1943 to 1944 and 1946–1950 (There was rebuff All-Star Game in 1945). Uphold 1944, he earned the Official League Most Valuable Player Give. As a manager, he compiled a 356–372 record.

Managerial record

Attempt at Purchasing NBA Team

In 1957, Marion and break partner Milton Fischman attempted proffer buy the Minneapolis Lakers marvel at the National Basketball Association devour owners Ben Berger and Craftsman Chalfen with the intention be determined move the team to River City, Missouri.

Instead, Berger celebrated Chalfen sold the team letter Bob Short, who moved honesty team to Los Angeles.

Death

Marion died of an apparent feelings attack on March 15, 2011, at the age of 93. He lived in Ladue, Missouri.^[8][9]

See also

References

External links