Major League Baseball Manager. For twenty-seasons, he served as manager of the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. He will be remembered for guiding the Boston Red Sox to the 1986 American League Pennant. Born John Francis McNamara, he attended Christian Brothers High School and later Sacramento City College where he played collegiate baseball. He played from 1951 until 1959 (with the exception of 1953 and 1954 due to service with the United States Military) in the Minor Leagues, and moved on to coaching and managing, prior to succeeding Hank Bauer as manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1969. In 1979, he succeeded Sparky Anderson as manager of the Cincinnati Reds and guided them to a division title that year. During the 1981 strike riddled season, McNamara led the Reds to a 66 win, 42 loss record which was the best in all of the Major Leagues. However, due to the structure of the playoffs the Reds were excluded from the postseason. In 1986, he guided to Boston Red Sox to the American League Pennant and received Manager of the Year honors, however Boston would go on to a heartbreaking loss in the World Series to the New York Mets. McNamara compiled a 1,160 win, 1,233 loss career regular season record.
Major League Baseball Manager. For twenty-seasons, he served as manager of the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. He will be remembered for guiding the Boston Red Sox to the 1986 American League Pennant. Born John Francis McNamara, he attended Christian Brothers High School and later Sacramento City College where he played collegiate baseball. He played from 1951 until 1959 (with the exception of 1953 and 1954 due to service with the United States Military) in the Minor Leagues, and moved on to coaching and managing, prior to succeeding Hank Bauer as manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1969. In 1979, he succeeded Sparky Anderson as manager of the Cincinnati Reds and guided them to a division title that year. During the 1981 strike riddled season, McNamara led the Reds to a 66 win, 42 loss record which was the best in all of the Major Leagues. However, due to the structure of the playoffs the Reds were excluded from the postseason. In 1986, he guided to Boston Red Sox to the American League Pennant and received Manager of the Year honors, however Boston would go on to a heartbreaking loss in the World Series to the New York Mets. McNamara compiled a 1,160 win, 1,233 loss career regular season record.
Bio by: C.S.
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