Loren Babe
From BR Bullpen
Loren Rolland Babe (Bee Bee)
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.
- Debut August 19, 1952
- Final Game September 27, 1953
- Born January 11, 1928 in Pisgah, IA USA
- Died February 14, 1984 in Omaha, NE USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Loren Babe was in the New York Yankees minor league organization for many years, coming to the majors in 1952 and 1953 with the Yankees. He was sold in early in the 1953 season to the 1953 Philadelphia Athletics, and was later traded back to the Yankee organization.
Babe's pro playing career lasted from 1945 to 1958, missing the 1946 season due to military service. He hit .330 for Norfolk in 69 games in 1945 and .335 for Muskegon in 117 games in 1950.
After retiring, Babe was a manager in the minors from 1961 to 1966, and again in 1971 and 1975-1976. Tony LaRussa gave Babe a lot of credit for teaching him about managing in 1975-76 when LaRussa was a player-coach under Babe in the minors.
Babe coached with the New York Yankees in 1967 and with the Chicago White Sox in 1980 and 1983.
Babe scouted for the Yankees in 1968-1970, and 1972-1974. He was also a special assignment scout for the White Sox in 1977-1979.
When it was found in April 1983 that Babe was suffering from cancer, Charley Lau voluntarily gave up his spot on the coaching staff so that Babe could qualify for pension benefits. He died of cancer at age 56. Lau was diagnosed with cancer a month later than Babe, and died five weeks after him.
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Auburn Yankees | New York-Penn League | 52-73 | 8th | New York Yankees | |
| 1962 | Idaho Falls Yankees | Pioneer League | 52-78 | 6th | New York Yankees | |
| 1963 | Idaho Falls Yankees | Pioneer League | 77-49 | 2nd | New York Yankees | League Champs |
| 1964 | Greensboro Yankees | Carolina League | 76-61 | 3rd | New York Yankees | Lost in 1st round |
| 1965 | Columbus Confederate Yankees | Southern League | 79-59 | 1st | New York Yankees | none League Champs |
| 1966 | Toledo Mud Hens | International League | 71-75 | 6th | New York Yankees | |
| 1971 | Syracuse Chiefs | International League | 73-67 | 4th | New York Yankees | Lost in 1st round |
| 1975 | Denver Bears | American Association | 81-55 | 1st | Chicago White Sox | Lost League Finals |
| 1976 | Iowa Oaks | American Association | 68-68 | 4th | Chicago White Sox |
