Vern Benson
From BR Bullpen
Vernon Adair Benson
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
- School Catawba College
- Debut July 31, 1943
- Final Game May 30, 1953
- Born September 19, 1924 in Granite Quarry, NC USA
[edit] Biographical Information
After retiring as a player, Vern Benson managed in the minors from 1956 to July 6, 1961, when he was assigned to a coaching position with the St. Louis Cardinals. He coached there through 1964, when the team won the World Series. He followed Cards' manager Johnny Keane to the New York Yankees in 1965, staying as a coach until May 7, 1966. He coached the Cincinnati Reds under Dave Bristol from July 15, 1966 through 1969,then the Cardinals again from July 17, 1970 to 1975.
In 1976, when Bristol was named manager of the Atlanta Braves, he hired Benson as a coach. On May 11, 1977, with the team in a 16-game losing streak, Bristol was given a leave of absence by owner Ted Turner so Turner could manage the team himself. After National League President Chub Feeney intervened to force Turner to step down, Benson took over as interim manager on May 12 and put an end to the losing streak that had by then reached 17 games. Bristol returned to the helm the next day. Benson then managed for two seasons in the minor leagues before coaching again under Bristol with the San Francisco Giants in 1980.
Benson's son, Randy Benson, pitched in the minors for the St. Louis Cardinals.
| Preceded by Ted Turner | Atlanta Braves Manager 1977 | Succeeded by Dave Bristol |
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Winnipeg Goldeyes | Northern League | 63-55 | 2nd | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1957 | Winnipeg Goldeyes | Northern League | 69-53 | 2nd | St. Louis Cardinals | League Champs | |
| 1958 | Winston-Salem Red Birds | Carolina League | 69-68 | 5th | St. Louis Cardinals | ||
| 1959 | Tulsa Oilers | Texas League | 77-67 | 3rd | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1960 | Tulsa Oilers | Texas League | 76-68 | 3rd | St. Louis Cardinals | League Champs | |
| 1961 | Portland Beavers | Pacific Coast League | 42-36 | -- | St. Louis Cardinals | replaced by Ray Katt (29-47) | |
| 1977 | Atlanta Braves | National League | 1-0 | -- | Atlanta Braves | replaced Dave Bristol (8-21) and Ted Turner (0-1) on May 12/ replaced by Dave Bristol on May 13 | |
| 1978 | Syracuse Chiefs | International League | 50-90 | 8th | Toronto Blue Jays | ||
| 1979 | Syracuse Chiefs | International League | 77-63 | 2nd | Toronto Blue Jays | Lost League Finals |
