Oct. 19, 1964 - Baseball’s managerial merry-go-round took another big spin today with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds both naming new pilots.
Dick Sisler, son of the great first baseman George Sisler, was hired by the Reds to replace cancer-ravaged Fred Hutchinson.
Harry (The Hat) Walker, three-time manager of the year in the International League, became the new leader of the Pirates.
Sisler has been a coach of the Reds since 1960 and had served as acting manager since last Aug. 13, when Hutchinson was forced to take a leave of absence because of his failing health.
During Sisler’s tenure as acting manager, the Reds made a great stretch run in the National League pennant race and came from far behind to take the lead in the last week of the season, only to lose the pennant to the St. Louis Cardinals on the last day of the campaign.
The Reds finished in a tie with Philadelphia for second place,
Reds’ president William O. DeWitt, making the announcement at a hushed news conference that Hutchinson was quitting and that the 44-year-old Sisler had been named to succeed him, called it “a sad and a happy day.”
After the announcement, DeWitt and Sisler talked with Hutchinson at his home near Bradenton, Fla., by telephone.
The phone was hooked to a loudspeaker, and newsmen were able to hear the husky-voiced Hutchinson say:
“I’m very happy to see Dick get the job. I always had hoped he would after the fine job he did for me.”
Sisler told Hutchinson he hated to get the managerial job “under such conditions,” but “we all know the show must go on.”
“Don’t worry about that,” was Hutchinson’s reply. “Just give ‘em hell.”
DeWitt said Sisler’s contract is for one year at undisclosed terms, and he said Hutchinson will remain on the club payroll as a consultant.
At Pittsburgh, Walker, who started and ended his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, succeeds Danny Murtaugh, who quit for reasons of health.
In making the surprise announcement, general manager Joe L. Brown said he had talked with others, including Johnny Keane, who resigned from the Cards, but felt Walker “is the best man for the job.”
Walker also signed a one-year contract at terms not disclosed.
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