Russ Nixon
From BR Bullpen
Russell Eugene Nixon
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
- Debut April 20, 1957
- Final Game September 16, 1968
- Born February 19, 1935 in Cleves, OH USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Catcher Russ Nixon won the 1954 Florida State League batting title. Then, the following year, he captured the Three-I League hitting crown while playing for the Keokuk Kernels. After his playing career ended, he spent several seasons as a manager and coach.
His twin brother, Roy Nixon, never reached the majors. They were teammates on the 1953 Green Bay Bluejays and both had 46 hits - but Russ did it in 137 AB while it took Roy 182 at-bats to reach that figure.
He was a manager in the Cincinnati Reds organization from 1970 to 1975, then was a coach for the major league team from 1976 to 1982. He became the team's manager partway through the 1982 season, replacing John McNamara. After the 1983 season, he essentially swapped places with Vern Rapp, Rapp taking over as the Reds' manager, and Nixon moving to the Montreal Expos coaching staff for 1984 and 1985. Nixon was an Atlanta Braves coach in 1986-1987 and was managing the Braves' AA affiliate in Greenville, SC in 1988 when he was chosen to replace Chuck Tanner as skipper. He stayed there for the remainder of the year and the following two seasons without finding any success. However, the Braves became consistent winners as soon as general manager Bobby Cox stepped down from the front office into the manager's job in 1991. Nixon coached the Seattle Mariners in 1992. Nixon has continued to manage in the minor leagues since that time.
| Preceded by John McNamara | Cincinnati Reds Manager 1982-1983 | Succeeded by Vern Rapp |
| Preceded by Chuck Tanner | Atlanta Braves Manager 1988-1990 | Succeeded by Bobby Cox |
