Leo Durocher

Guide Note:

Leo Durocher was a professional baseball player who later spent 24 years managing the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros. Durocher coined the term "nice guys finish last" on his way to winning a World Series.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: July 27, 1905
2. Birthplace: West Springfield, Massachusetts
3. Died: October 7, 1991
4. 3-Time All-Star
5. Nickname: The Lip, the All-American Out
6. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994
7. Manager of Giants during Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard Round the World"
8. Managed Giants to 1954 World Championship

Dubbed the "All-American Out" by former Yankee teammate Babe Ruth, Durocher had a relatively successful career primarily playing shortstop. Durocher began his career on the New York Yankees, but moved on to the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, before finishing with the Dodgers. Durocher's best years were with the Cardinals and Dodgers, when he was named to the All-Star team three times. Durocher posted mediocre numbers, but his fiery dugout presence motivated the Cardinals and Dodgers throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

In managing, Durocher would find his calling. As the rambunctious manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Durocher often vociferously argued with umpires and came to define the prototypical hard-living, swearing, intensely loyal manager that players loved. He led the Dodgers to the World Series in 1941. In 1947, Durocher was suspended for the season by Happy Chandler, the baseball commissioner, for "association with known gamblers" after allegedly running a fixed craps game. In 1948, Durocher returned but left mid-season to manage the crosstown Giants. With the Giants, Durocher led the team to the National League pennant in 1951, and a World Series victory in 1954. In 1996, Durocher began managing the perennially hapless Chicago Cubs before closing his career out managing the perennially hapless Houston Astros in 1972 and 1973. Durocher died in 1991, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.