Nov. 4, 1964 - Gene Mauch, who led the Phillies to their highest standing in 14 seasons despite a late‐season slump, was named National League Manager of the Year for 1964 today in the annual A.P. poll.
The scrappy 38‐year‐old pilot collected 64 votes in the balloting by 84 baseball writers. Johnny Keane, who managed the Cardinals to a championship, was second with 16 votes. Dick Sisler, who filled in for the ailing Fred Hutchinson in Cincinnati, had three, while Hutchinson drew one vote.
Mauch also was named N.L. Manager of the Year in 1962. Last season, he directed the Phillies to a 6½-game lead with only two weeks left to play. However, the team lost 10 games in a row from Sept. 21 through Sept. 30 then won the final two from Cincinnati.
The Phillies finished in a second‐place deadlock with the Reds, one game behind St. Louis. That was their highest finish since 1950, when they won the pennant under Eddie Sawyer.
Through most of the 1964 season Mauch drew considerable praise for his effective lineup manipulations. Only Clay Dalrymple, the catcher; Richie Allen, a third baseman; and Johnny Callison, an outfielder, were used regularly, and only the last two hit with power consistently. Allen, a rookie, was the club’s only .300 batsman, finishing at .318.
However, Mauch was also criticized for the manner in which he handled his pitching staff. Most Philadelphia sportswriters felt Mauch threw the starting pitchers’ rotation out of line, and the staff never recovered.
In Hacienda Heights, Calif., where he makes his home, Mauch was unavailable for comment.
“He left early this morning for some golf with his buddies,” said Mrs. Mauch, “but I know he’ll be surprised. I don’t think Gene really thought much about it. He’s been too busy thinking about next year.”
When he won the award in 1962, Mauch said: “I’m flattered. But the truth is I won’t be satisfied until the Phillies are named Team of the Year.”
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