Lefty Phillips
Encyclopedia
Harold Ross "Lefty" Phillips (June 16, 1919 — June 12, 1972) was an American coach
, manager
, scout and front office executive in Major League Baseball
. Phillips was the second manager in Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
franchise history.
A native of Los Angeles
, Phillips was a left-handed pitcher
in his playing days but, because of a sore arm, his professional playing career consisted of fewer than five games with the Bisbee Bees of the Class D Arizona-Texas League
in 1939
. After the Second World War, Phillips returned to baseball and became a highly respected scout for the Cincinnati Reds
(1948–50) and the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
(1952–64).
In 1965
, Phillips reached the major leagues when he was named pitching coach of the Dodgers. During his first two seasons in that post, he worked with Hall of Famers such as Sandy Koufax
, Don Drysdale
and Don Sutton, as Los Angeles won back-to-back National League
pennants and the 1965 World Series
. Although the Dodgers fell back in the standings in 1967–68, after Koufax' retirement, they still boasted one of the strongest pitching staffs in the majors.
season, Phillips joined former Dodger executive Dick Walsh
in the Angels' front office. Walsh was appointed general manager
, while Phillips was named to the high-ranking post of director of player personnel. But when the Angels started only 11–28 in 1969
under their longtime (and original) manager, Bill Rigney
, Phillips was asked to return to the field as Rigney's replacement on May 27, despite his never before having managed in the minor leagues
or in MLB.
The Angels responded to Phillips, however, improving from sixth (last) place to third in the American League West Division in 1969 and then — led by batting champion Alex Johnson
— winning 86 games in 1970
to again finish third. But Johnson was a disciplinary problem. In 1971
he was suspended by Phillips numerous times for lack of hustle and the wheels came off the Angels, who won only 76 games. Phillips and Walsh were fired at the end of the season, and Johnson was traded. Phillips' record in 2½ seasons as Angel manager was 222–225 (.497).
Phillips then resumed his scouting career with the Angels, but in June 1972
, he was fatally stricken with an attack of asthma
. He died in Orange, California
, four days short of his 53rd birthday.
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...
, 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...
, scout and front office executive in 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...
. Phillips was the second manager in Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
franchise history.
A native of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, Phillips was a left-handed 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...
in his playing days but, because of a sore arm, his professional playing career consisted of fewer than five games with the Bisbee Bees of the Class D Arizona-Texas League
Arizona-Texas League
The Arizona-Texas League was a low-level circuit in American minor league baseball that existed from 1928-32, 1937-41, 1947-50 and 1952-54. The Arizona-Texas loop merged with the Sunset League to form the Southwest International League in 1951...
in 1939
1939 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:*On May 17, 1939, Princeton University and Columbia University played the first televised baseball game. On August 26, the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers played the first televised Major League Baseball game...
. After the Second World War, Phillips returned to baseball and became a highly respected scout for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1948–50) and the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1952–64).
In 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, Phillips reached the major leagues when he was named pitching coach of the Dodgers. During his first two seasons in that post, he worked with Hall of Famers such as Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
and Don Sutton, as Los Angeles won back-to-back National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennants and the 1965 World Series
1965 World Series
The 1965 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the American League champion Minnesota Twins, who had won their first pennant since 1933 when the team was known as the Washington Senators...
. Although the Dodgers fell back in the standings in 1967–68, after Koufax' retirement, they still boasted one of the strongest pitching staffs in the majors.
Manager of 1969–71 Angels
At the end of the 19681968 in baseball
-The Year of the Pitcher:In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance, caused by enforcing a larger strike zone beginning in 1963...
season, Phillips joined former Dodger executive Dick Walsh
Dick Walsh (U.S. sports executive)
Richard Bishop Walsh, Jr. was an American sporting executive who, during a 50-plus year career, held high-level positions in Major League Baseball, professional soccer , and in convention center management...
in the Angels' front office. Walsh was appointed 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:...
, while Phillips was named to the high-ranking post of director of player personnel. But when the Angels started only 11–28 in 1969
1969 in baseball
-Expansion:Four expansion teams joined Major League Baseball for this season: the San Diego Padres, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Pilots, and the first MLB team in Canada, the Montreal Expos. To accommodate the additional teams, the two leagues were split into two divisions of East and West...
under their longtime (and original) manager, Bill Rigney
Bill Rigney
William Joseph Rigney was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. A native of Alameda, California, he batted and threw right-handed....
, Phillips was asked to return to the field as Rigney's replacement on May 27, despite his never before having managed in the minor leagues
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...
or in MLB.
The Angels responded to Phillips, however, improving from sixth (last) place to third in the American League West Division in 1969 and then — led by batting champion Alex Johnson
Alex Johnson
Alexander Johnson Alexander Johnson Alexander Johnson (born December 7, 1942, in Helena, Arkansas is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder and designated hitter over parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, California Angels,...
— winning 86 games in 1970
1970 in baseball
-Major Leagues:*World Series MVP: Brooks Robinson*All-Star Game, July 14 at Riverfront Stadium: National League, 5-4 ; Carl Yastrzemski, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Navegantes del Magallanes *College World Series: USC...
to again finish third. But Johnson was a disciplinary problem. In 1971
1971 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:National League: Pittsburgh PiratesAmerican League: Baltimore Orioles1971 World Series: Pittsburgh def. Baltimore , 4 games to 3.Inter-league playoff: Pittsburgh declined challenge by Tokyo Yomiuri Giants....
he was suspended by Phillips numerous times for lack of hustle and the wheels came off the Angels, who won only 76 games. Phillips and Walsh were fired at the end of the season, and Johnson was traded. Phillips' record in 2½ seasons as Angel manager was 222–225 (.497).
Phillips then resumed his scouting career with the Angels, but in June 1972
1972 in baseball
-Labor strife and more moving:1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration. The strike erased the first week and a half of the season, and the Leagues decided to just excise the lost portion of the season with no makeups. As a result, an uneven number of games were...
, he was fatally stricken with an attack of asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
. He died in Orange, California
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
, four days short of his 53rd birthday.