Don Osborn
Encyclopedia
Donald Edwin Osborn was an American
pitcher
and manager
in minor league baseball
and a scout, farm system official and pitching coach
at the major league
level. Born in Sandpoint, Idaho
, Osborn threw and batted right-handed, stood 6' (183 cm) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg).
Osborne's professional playing career began in 1929, and while he never reached the major leagues as a pitcher, he enjoyed great success in the Pacific Coast League
(1936-38; 1943-47) and the Western International League
(1938-42). He won 22 games for the 1936 Seattle Indians
, and in 1942 led the WIL in victories (22), winning percentage (.815) and earned run average
(1.63) as the playing manager of the league champion Vancouver Capilanos. It was Osborn's first year as a manager. He would lead teams in the farm systems of the Chicago Cubs
and Philadelphia Phillies
through 1957 before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1958 as a roving troubleshooter and consultant in their minor league system.
In , Osborn was named pitching coach of the Pirates, and he would serve three terms in that post — 1963-64; 1970-72; and 1974-76. During most of that time, he worked under manager Danny Murtaugh
, and he was a member of the 1971 World Series
champion Pirates
club. At age 70, Osborn was appointed pitching coach of the Bucs for a fourth time after the season — this time by skipper Chuck Tanner
— but ill health forced his resignation a few weeks after his appointment. He died in Torrance, California
, during spring training
in March 1979. As a minor league pitcher, Osborn won 199 games, losing 119 for a stellar .626 winning percentage. His record as a minor-league manager was 929-751 (.553) with four championships.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and a scout, farm system official and pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
at the major league
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
level. Born in Sandpoint, Idaho
Sandpoint, Idaho
Sandpoint is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Bonner County, Idaho, United States. Its population was 7,365 at the 2010 census.Sandpoint's major economic contributors include forest products and light manufacturing, tourism and recreation and government services...
, Osborn threw and batted right-handed, stood 6' (183 cm) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg).
Osborne's professional playing career began in 1929, and while he never reached the major leagues as a pitcher, he enjoyed great success in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
(1936-38; 1943-47) and the Western International League
Western International League
The Western International League was a mid- to higher-level circuit in American and Canadian minor league baseball. It operated in 1923, 1937-42, and 1946-54. In 1955, it changed its name to the Northwest League, and still operates today as a Short Season A loop under that name.The WIL consisted of...
(1938-42). He won 22 games for the 1936 Seattle Indians
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
, and in 1942 led the WIL in victories (22), winning percentage (.815) and earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(1.63) as the playing manager of the league champion Vancouver Capilanos. It was Osborn's first year as a manager. He would lead teams in the farm systems of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
through 1957 before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 1958 as a roving troubleshooter and consultant in their minor league system.
In , Osborn was named pitching coach of the Pirates, and he would serve three terms in that post — 1963-64; 1970-72; and 1974-76. During most of that time, he worked under manager Danny Murtaugh
Danny Murtaugh
Daniel Edward Murtaugh was an American second baseman, manager, front-office executive and coach in Major League Baseball best known for his 29-year association with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a player and manager...
, and he was a member of the 1971 World Series
1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
champion Pirates
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Pirates finishing first in the National League East with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. They defeated the San Francisco Giants three games to one in the National League Championship Series and beat the Baltimore...
club. At age 70, Osborn was appointed pitching coach of the Bucs for a fourth time after the season — this time by skipper Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
— but ill health forced his resignation a few weeks after his appointment. He died in Torrance, California
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
, during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in March 1979. As a minor league pitcher, Osborn won 199 games, losing 119 for a stellar .626 winning percentage. His record as a minor-league manager was 929-751 (.553) with four championships.