Contributors
The 7 Most Famous Field Managers in New York Yankees History
The key word in the title is “famous” as opposed to successful. The Bronx Bombers have won 27 World Series with the second place (runner-up) team not even visible in the upper deck. Nine Yankees managers have brought home the bacon, although a trio of these (Joe Girardi, Bucky Harris and Bob Lemon) each have a World Series title but are not on this list.
Here we go:
Joe McCarthy, 1931-46
Joseph V. (Joe) McCarthy. New York Yankees, 1935.
McCarthy won seven World Championships. The “Damn Yankees” seed was planted as these teams were led by Gehrig & Co.
Casey Stengel, 1949-60
Casey Stengel. Courtesy of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The ole professor (from Ole Miss fame) also won seven world championships, including five straight. When asked by reporters to state his secret to success, Casey responded, “filling out the lineup card.”
Miller Huggins, 1918-29
Miller Huggins
Huggins brought home three titles and had to deal with “the Babe” and The House That Ruth Built!
Joe Torre, 1996-2007
Joe Torre
Torre is winner of four World Series with the help of one Mariano Rivera, the greatest reliever EVER!
John McGraw, 1901
John McGraw
McGraw was the Yankees first manager and a Hall of Famer who only stayed less than two seasons.
Ralph Houk, 1961-63
Ralph Houk
The Major would win two championships in just three years with the Chairman of the Board, Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle providing the punch. Having Berra, Howard, Maris, Richardson and Arroyo didn’t hurt either.
Billy Martin
Billy Martin
A five-time Yankee manager and winner of one World Series title (1977) and possibly the all-time favorite manager of the fans, “brawling Billy” was admired by many and respected by all.
Some other Yankee skippers included Clark Griffith (1903-08) when the team was known as the Highlanders; Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey and Dick Howser, who enjoyed the highest winning percentage of the 32, bringing in a .632 clip. Aaron Boone suits up as the 33rd manager this 2018 season. He will wear number 17. Boone played for the Yankees in 2003 and was an All-Star that year. He is 44 years old.
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | W, 52-20 |
| Mon, Nov 4 |  | vs Long Island University | W, 90-60 |
| Fri, Nov 8 |  | vs Grambling | W, 66-64 |
| Tue, Nov 12 |  | vs South Alabama | W, 64-54 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Colorado State | W, 84-69 |
| Thu, Nov 21 |  | vs Oral Roberts | L, 100-68 |
| Thu, Nov 28 |  | vs BYU | W, 96-85 OT |
| Fri, Nov 29 |  | vs 13 Purdue | L, 80-78 |
| Tue, Dec 3 |  | @ Louisville | W, 86-63 |
| Sat, Dec 7 |  | vs Lindenwood | W, 86-53 |
| Sat, Dec 14 |  | vs Southern Miss | W, 77-46 |
| Tue, Dec 17 |  | vs Southern | W, 74-61 |
| Sat, Dec 21 |  | vs Queens University | W, 80-62 |
| Sat, Dec 28 |  | @ Memphis | L, 87-70 |
| Sat, Jan 4 |  | vs Georgia | 11:00 AM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 8 |  | @ 23 Arkansas | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 11 |  | vs LSU | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Tue, Jan 14 |  | @ 5 Alabama | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 18 |  | @ 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Jan 22 |  | vs 13 Texas A&M | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 25 |  | @ Missouri | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 29 |  | vs Texas | 8:00 PM ESPN2 |
| Sat, Feb 1 |  | vs 2 Auburn | 3:00 PM TBA |
| Tue, Feb 4 |  | vs 10 Kentucky | 6:00 PM ESPN |
| Sat, Feb 8 | | @ LSU | 7:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 12 |  | @ South Carolina | 6:00 PM SECN |
| Sat, Feb 15 | | vs 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Feb 22 |  | @ Vanderbilt | 2:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 26 | | @ 2 Auburn | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 1 |  | vs 12 Oklahoma | 1:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Mar 5 |  | vs 1 Tennessee | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 8 |  | @ 6 Florida | 5:00 PM SECN |
Loretta
February 6, 2018 at 8:25 pm
The New York Highlanders/Yankees began play in 1903. In 1901, the franchise was in Baltimore.
John J. McGraw managed the Baltimore Orioles in 1901 and part of the 1902 season. He left during the 1902 season to join the New York Giants, where he earned the vase amount of his fame. He has never been associated with the New York Yankees.
The Orioles franchise moved to New York City in 1903 and adopted the “Highlanders” nickname. The team changed its nickname to “Yankees” in 1913.
I think the “Old Perfessor” may be the most famous Yankees manager but this list is good.
Based solely on fame, I think Yogi Berra must be included.
Steve Vassallo
February 7, 2018 at 6:18 am
Loretta, Your point about Yogi is well
taken. Many years ago I became good
friends with his minor league skipper,
George Selkirk. The stories were
fascinating. In compiling the list, it is
based on the franchise and this is the
reason #5 is included.
Loretta
February 7, 2018 at 9:02 am
Thank you. I realize that is why John J. McGraw is listed. However, calling him a “New York Yankees manager” is about the same as calling Kirby Puckett a famous Washington Senator.
I did not know George Selkirk but several friends of mine knew him well when he was GM of the expansion Senators.
Steve Vassalo
February 7, 2018 at 9:37 am
One final comment (Mr. Puckett aside), I never take issue with Wikipedia. The primary purpose
of the piece (and most stories for that matter) is to stimulate discussion and interest opposed to
attempting to rewrite or alter history.
Loretta
February 7, 2018 at 3:10 pm
“Grudges are often worse enemies than pain.”
― Erin Forbes