John Felske
Encyclopedia
John Frederick Felske is a former catcher
, coach
and manager
in American
Major League Baseball
. He was the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies
from September 30, 1984, through June 18, 1987, posting a record of 190 victories and 194 defeats (.495).
After attending the University of Illinois
, Felske signed with the Chicago Cubs
, but his shortcomings as a batter — and the durability of Chicago backstop Randy Hundley
— kept him at the minor league
level except for two at bats in the middle of the season. He was drafted by the Seattle Pilots
in December 1969, and played a total of 50 games over the and seasons for the Pilots' successor franchise, the Milwaukee Brewers
, as third-string receiver. Overall, Felske, a right-handed hitter, batted
only .135 in his major league career, with one home run
.
In , Felske turned his hand to managing in the Milwaukee farm system. He reached the Class AAA level in . After winning the division title with the Vancouver Canadians
of the Pacific Coast League
, Felske was named a coach for the Toronto Blue Jays
under skipper Bobby Mattick
for and . When Mattick stepped down in favor of Bobby Cox
, Felske joined the Philadelphia farm system, and won another PCL divisional title in with the Portland Beavers
.
He was promoted to the Phillies' coaching staff for the 1984 season as heir apparent to pilot Paul Owens
, who also was the club's general manager
. Owens resigned his managing post September 30 of that season, and Felske took over the helm. Unfortunately for Felske, the Phillies—1983 National League champions
—were in rapid decline. Hall of Fame left-hander Steve Carlton
was coming to the end of his career, and youngsters called up to replace the aging veterans of '83 fell short of expectations.
The 1985 Phillies
won only 75 games, and Felske bore the brunt of criticism from fans and media. While the 1986
club improved to second place in the NL East Division
and 86 wins, it finished 21½ games behind the frontrunning rival and eventual champion
New York Mets
. Meanwhile, the team's front office turned over with Owens' retirement. In 1987
, when the Phils won only 29 of their first 61 games on their way to a fourth-place finish, Felske was fired June 18.
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
, 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...
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 American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
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...
. He was the manager of the 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...
from September 30, 1984, through June 18, 1987, posting a record of 190 victories and 194 defeats (.495).
After attending the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, Felske signed with 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...
, but his shortcomings as a batter — and the durability of Chicago backstop Randy Hundley
Randy Hundley
Cecil Randolph "Randy" Hundley Jr. is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Minnesota Twins , and the San Diego Padres...
— kept him at the minor league
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...
level except for two at bats in the middle of the season. He was drafted by the Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
in December 1969, and played a total of 50 games over the and seasons for the Pilots' successor franchise, the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, as third-string receiver. Overall, Felske, a right-handed hitter, batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
only .135 in his major league career, with one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
.
In , Felske turned his hand to managing in the Milwaukee farm system. He reached the Class AAA level in . After winning the division title with the Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
of 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...
, Felske was named a coach for the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
under skipper Bobby Mattick
Bobby Mattick
Robert James Mattick was a shortstop, manager and scout in Major League Baseball, most notably in the Toronto Blue Jays organization....
for and . When Mattick stepped down in favor of Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
, Felske joined the Philadelphia farm system, and won another PCL divisional title in with the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
.
He was promoted to the Phillies' coaching staff for the 1984 season as heir apparent to pilot Paul Owens
Paul Owens (baseball)
Paul Francis Owens was an American front office executive and manager in Major League Baseball.-Philadelphia Phillies:Owens' entire Major League career was spent with the Philadelphia Phillies...
, who also was the club's general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
. Owens resigned his managing post September 30 of that season, and Felske took over the helm. Unfortunately for Felske, the Phillies—1983 National League champions
1983 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series was a best-of-five matchup between the Western Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Eastern Division champion Philadelphia Phillies...
—were in rapid decline. Hall of Fame left-hander Steve Carlton
Steve Carlton
Steven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
was coming to the end of his career, and youngsters called up to replace the aging veterans of '83 fell short of expectations.
The 1985 Phillies
1985 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1985 season was the Philadelphia Phillies 103rd season. The Phillies finished in fifth place in the National League East with a record of 75 wins and 87 losses...
won only 75 games, and Felske bore the brunt of criticism from fans and media. While the 1986
1986 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 104th season for the Phillies. Under second-year manager John Felske, the Phillies stayed just below the .500 mark for roughly two-thirds of the season, until a charge after the All-Star break pushed the club past the St. Louis Cardinals and Montreal Expos...
club improved to second place in the NL East Division
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
and 86 wins, it finished 21½ games behind the frontrunning rival and eventual champion
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
New York Mets
1986 New York Mets season
The 1986 New York Mets season was the Mets' 25th season in the National League. They began the season looking to equal or improve upon their 98–64 record from 1985 and to try to win the National League East Division. They finished the season with a 108–54 record, cruising to the division title...
. Meanwhile, the team's front office turned over with Owens' retirement. In 1987
1987 Philadelphia Phillies season
-Offseason:* October 7, 1986: Tom Gorman was released by the Phillies.* November 16, 1986: Rocky Childress was purchased from the Phillies by the Houston Astros.-Regular season:...
, when the Phils won only 29 of their first 61 games on their way to a fourth-place finish, Felske was fired June 18.