Dick Sisler
From BR Bullpen
Richard Allan Sisler
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
- School Colgate University
- Debut April 16, 1946
- Final Game August 1, 1953
- Born November 2, 1920 in St. Louis, MO USA
- Died November 20, 1998 in Nashville, TN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Dick Sisler, the son of George Sisler, had a respectable baseball career in his own right. He and his father are one of only two pairs of fathers and sons who both were big league managers. The other pair is Bob Skinner and son Joel Skinner.
After missing the 1943-1945 seasons due to military service, Dick broke in with the 1946 St. Louis Cardinals, who won the World Series; he appeared in two World Series games as a pinch hitter.
After a less impressive year in 1947, he joined the Philadelphia Phillies who were building toward their pennant-winning "Whiz Kids" year in 1950. 1950 was Sisler's best year, as he hit .296 with 13 home runs and was included on the All-Star team. In the 1950 World Series, he played in all 4 games, batting either third or fifth in the lineup. After 11 games with Cincinnati in 1952, he moved back to the Cardinals for most of 1952 and 1953, where he closed out his 8-year career. In 1952 he equalled his personal high of 13 home runs.
Lifetime, he appeared in 387 games at first base, and 289 games in the outfield. His career batting average was a respectable .276.
Sisler was a Reds coach from 1961 to 1964. He managed the Cincinnati Reds for part of 1964 when he took over for an ailing Fred Hutchinson and for all of 1965. Key players included Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, and a young Pete Rose. As a manager, his lifetime winning percentage was .563.
Sisler was a coach with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1966 to 1970, including the World Champion 1967 St. Louis Cardinals. He also coached the San Diego Padres in 1975-1976 and the New York Mets in 1979-1980.
His brother Dave Sisler also played in the major leagues for seven years as a pitcher, and his other brother, George Sisler Jr., was involved in minor league baseball for decades.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (1950)
- Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946
| Preceded by Fred Hutchinson | Cincinnati Reds Manager 1964-1965 | Succeeded by Don Heffner |
