Johnny Oates
From BR Bullpen
Johnny Lane Oates
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 188 lb.
- School Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
- Debut September 17, 1970
- Final Game May 24, 1981
- Born January 21, 1946 in Sylva, NC USA
- Died December 24, 2004 in Harrisonburg, VA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Johnny Oates played 11 seasons in the big leagues, exclusively as a catcher, and also managed 11 seasons in the majors. He appeared in the 1977 and 1978 World Series, and was named 1996 American League Manager of the Year.
Oates came out of Virginia Tech and played in the minors from 1967-71. He made his major league debut in five games with the 1970 Orioles and thereafter returned to play with the Orioles in 1972 as the most-frequently-used catcher (Andy Etchebarren appeared in slightly fewer games and innings).
After the 1972 season, Oates was traded to Atlanta, where he caught in 1973-74 and a bit of 1975 before being traded to the Phillies, where he played in 1975-76. He was the first-string catcher with Atlanta but shared playing time in Philadelphia with Bob Boone.
After 1976 he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent 1977-79, gradually getting less playing time as the years progressed. He appeared briefly in two World Series for the Dodgers.
He closed out his major league playing career with the New York Yankees in 1980-81.
He quickly became a manager in the Yankees organization, managing at Nashville and at Columbus in 1982 and 1983. He also managed in the Baltimore organization in 1988.
Oates was named manager of the Orioles in 1991, and from 1991-2001 managed the Orioles and the Texas Rangers. Seven of his eleven teams played over .500 while he managed them.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL Manager of the Year Award (1996)
- Division titles: 3 (1996, 1998 & 1999)
| Preceded by Frank Robinson | Baltimore Orioles Manager 1991-1994 | Succeeded by Phil Regan |
| Preceded by Kevin Kennedy | Texas Rangers Manager 1995-2001 | Succeeded by Jerry Narron |
