Major League Baseball Player, Coach. Born Joseph Paul Lonnett, he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1948. He broke into the Major Leagues (debut delayed due to his military service during the Korean War) on April 22nd, 1956 and appeared in 16 games that year. For parts of four years (1956 to 1959), he played at the catcher position with the Phillies (primarily as a backup to Stan Lopata) and experience his most productive season in 1957, when he recorded 160 at bats, which included belting 5 home runs. Following his playing career, over the next decade, he went onto become a scout and Minor League manager with the Phillies. In 1971, Lonnett returned to the Major League level as a coach and began a lengthy association with Chuck Tanner, initially with the Chicago White Sox (1971 to 1975). He followed him to the Oakland Athletics in 1976 and when Tanner was acquired by Pittsburgh in a highly-rare trade for a manager, Lonnett joined him there (1977 to 1985). He was a member of the Pirates' coaching staff which contributed to their memorable 1979 World Championship squad and remained within the organization until his retirement in 1992.
Major League Baseball Player, Coach. Born Joseph Paul Lonnett, he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1948. He broke into the Major Leagues (debut delayed due to his military service during the Korean War) on April 22nd, 1956 and appeared in 16 games that year. For parts of four years (1956 to 1959), he played at the catcher position with the Phillies (primarily as a backup to Stan Lopata) and experience his most productive season in 1957, when he recorded 160 at bats, which included belting 5 home runs. Following his playing career, over the next decade, he went onto become a scout and Minor League manager with the Phillies. In 1971, Lonnett returned to the Major League level as a coach and began a lengthy association with Chuck Tanner, initially with the Chicago White Sox (1971 to 1975). He followed him to the Oakland Athletics in 1976 and when Tanner was acquired by Pittsburgh in a highly-rare trade for a manager, Lonnett joined him there (1977 to 1985). He was a member of the Pirates' coaching staff which contributed to their memorable 1979 World Championship squad and remained within the organization until his retirement in 1992.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
