Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Manager. Managed the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for over 20 seasons. He was a multi-position player during his 13-year minor league playing career, which lasted from 1935 to 1947. He played in the Mid-Atlantic League and International League among others, and, while still a player, managed Portsmouth (Mid-Atlantic League), Trenton (Interstate League), Pueblo and St. Paul. In 1950 he was promoted to the Brooklyn Dodgers' top minor league club in Montreal. In four seasons in Canada, he managed many of Brooklyn's future stars, and his teams never finished below second place. On November 24, 1953, Walter O'Malley named him to replace Charlie Dressen as Brooklyn's Manager. He then signed a one year contract, a practice he would follow for 23 seasons. A quiet, dignified leader who demanded loyalty and hustle from his players, in 1955, he led Brooklyn to its only World Series victory over the Yankees. His Brooklyn club won the 1956 pennant but lost to the Bronx Bombers. When the Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1958, Walter Alston altered his managing style to a pitching orientated club that included Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. His Dodger teams won championships in 1959, 1963 and 1965. His teams continued to finish in the first division throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Led by Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, and Ron Cey, his teams won their last pennant in 1974, when he was 62. He was honored as Manager of the Year six times by the Associated Press and five times by United Press International. He was the first manager from the 1970s to be inducted to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Manager. Managed the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for over 20 seasons. He was a multi-position player during his 13-year minor league playing career, which lasted from 1935 to 1947. He played in the Mid-Atlantic League and International League among others, and, while still a player, managed Portsmouth (Mid-Atlantic League), Trenton (Interstate League), Pueblo and St. Paul. In 1950 he was promoted to the Brooklyn Dodgers' top minor league club in Montreal. In four seasons in Canada, he managed many of Brooklyn's future stars, and his teams never finished below second place. On November 24, 1953, Walter O'Malley named him to replace Charlie Dressen as Brooklyn's Manager. He then signed a one year contract, a practice he would follow for 23 seasons. A quiet, dignified leader who demanded loyalty and hustle from his players, in 1955, he led Brooklyn to its only World Series victory over the Yankees. His Brooklyn club won the 1956 pennant but lost to the Bronx Bombers. When the Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1958, Walter Alston altered his managing style to a pitching orientated club that included Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. His Dodger teams won championships in 1959, 1963 and 1965. His teams continued to finish in the first division throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Led by Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, and Ron Cey, his teams won their last pennant in 1974, when he was 62. He was honored as Manager of the Year six times by the Associated Press and five times by United Press International. He was the first manager from the 1970s to be inducted to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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