Major League Baseball Player & Manager. For fourteen seasons (1946 to 1960), he played at the shortstop and third baseman positions with the Boston Braves, New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Braves. Born Alvin Ralph Dark, he was raised in Louisiana, where he attended Lake Charles High School and participated in football (he achieved All-State and All-Southern status) and basketball. After receiving scholarships in basketball and baseball, Dark initially enrolled with Louisiana State University and distinguished himself on their football squad. When the United States entered World War II, he joined the Marine Corps V-12 Program which allowed him to continue his education during his military training. He would transfer to Southwestern Louisiana Institute and became the school's starting quarterback which led to him being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. He chose to pursue a professional career in baseball and signed with the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1946. He marked his Major League debut on July 14, 1946, and played in 15 games that year. During his first full season (1948), his impact on the league was felt, as he produced a .322 batting average and earned Rookie of the Year honors for that year. The Braves captured the National League Pennant in 1948 and he experienced his first World Series action. After being acquired by the Giants, Dark earned the first of three All-Star honors (1951, 1952, and 1954) and led the league with 41 doubles in 1951, as he contributed to the Giants' surprising run to the National League Pennant. He was a key player in the Giants' World Championship year of 1954. In 16 career total World Series games, he recorded a .323 batting average. In 1,828 regular season games, he compiled 2,089 hits with a .289 batting average. After retiring as a player, Dark began a lengthy career as a manager, initially with the Giants (1961 to 1964). He guided San Francisco to a 103-win season and the National League Pennant in 1962. He had a stint as manager of the Kansas City Athletics (1966 to 1967), followed by the Cleveland Indians (1968 to 1971). The Oakland Athletics were in the midst of their dynasty run when he succeeded Dick Williams as their manager (1974 to 1975) and guided them to a third consecutive world championship in 1974. His final managerial assignment was with the San Diego Padres in 1977.