Dave Garcia
Encyclopedia
David Garcia is an American
retired coach
, scout and manager
in Major League Baseball
who spent over 65 years in the game. He served as manager of the California Angels
(1977-78) and Cleveland Indians
(1979-82) and compiled a career record of 307 wins and 310 defeats (.498).
Garcia was a minor league
infielder
for almost 20 seasons — much of that time in the farm system of the New York Giants
— and never made it to the major leagues. He began managing at age 27 in 1948
with a Giants' farm club at Knoxville of the Class B Tri-State League
. He managed in the minor leagues
and scouted for the club (the San Francisco Giants
from 1958
) through 1968
, before joining the San Diego Padres
as a minor league manager in 1969
, their maiden season.
The following season, in his 50th year, Garcia finally reached the majors as San Diego's third-base coach. He coached with the Padres (1970-73), Indians (1975-76; 1979) and Angels (1977) and in 1977
he was named manager of the Angels when Norm Sherry
was fired on July 11. While the Angels continued to stumble in '77, the Halos stood at 25-20 when Garcia was released in favor of Jim Fregosi
on June 1, 1978.
Garcia got another chance to manage with the Cleveland Indians when Jeff Torborg was fired on July 22, 1979
. Cleveland played at a 38-28 clip under Garcia for the remainder of the season, and compiled a mark of 52-51 during the strike-shortened 1981
campaign, but they never finished higher than fifth in the American League East
. After a sixth-place finish in 1982
, Garcia was fired. But he remained in the game into his mid 80s, as a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers
(1983-84), a special assignment scout for the Brewers and Kansas City Royals
, and — from 2000
through 2002
— a coach with the Colorado Rockies
. Garcia was named to Rockies' staff when he was 79 years of age by then-skipper Buddy Bell
.
As a minor league manager in the Giants, Padres and Angels organizations, Garcia won 890 games and lost 785 (.531) and won three championships.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retired coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, scout and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who spent over 65 years in the game. He served as manager of the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1977-78) and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1979-82) and compiled a career record of 307 wins and 310 defeats (.498).
Garcia was a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
for almost 20 seasons — much of that time in the farm system of the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
— and never made it to the major leagues. He began managing at age 27 in 1948
1948 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cleveland Indians over Boston Braves *All-Star Game, July 13 at Sportsman's Park: American League, 5-2-Other champions:*College World Series: USC*Little League World Series: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania...
with a Giants' farm club at Knoxville of the Class B Tri-State League
Tri-State League
The Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
. He managed in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and scouted for the club (the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
from 1958
1958 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Milwaukee Braves ; Bob Turley, MVP*All-Star Game, July 8 at Memorial Stadium: American League, 4-3-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Marianao *College World Series: USC...
) through 1968
1968 in baseball
-The Year of the Pitcher:In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance, caused by enforcing a larger strike zone beginning in 1963...
, before joining the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
as a minor league manager in 1969
1969 in baseball
-Expansion:Four expansion teams joined Major League Baseball for this season: the San Diego Padres, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Pilots, and the first MLB team in Canada, the Montreal Expos. To accommodate the additional teams, the two leagues were split into two divisions of East and West...
, their maiden season.
The following season, in his 50th year, Garcia finally reached the majors as San Diego's third-base coach. He coached with the Padres (1970-73), Indians (1975-76; 1979) and Angels (1977) and in 1977
1977 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None*National League Championship Series MVP: Dusty Baker...
he was named manager of the Angels when Norm Sherry
Norm Sherry
Norman Burt Sherry is an American former catcher, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball. He is best known as the man who, while still an active player as the second-string catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, helped the great lefthanded pitcher Sandy Koufax harness his talent and transform...
was fired on July 11. While the Angels continued to stumble in '77, the Halos stood at 25-20 when Garcia was released in favor of Jim Fregosi
Jim Fregosi
James Louis Fregosi is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played from 1961–1978 for four different teams, primarily the Los Angeles and California Angels. In that franchise's first eleven years of play, he became its first star as the team's...
on June 1, 1978.
Garcia got another chance to manage with the Cleveland Indians when Jeff Torborg was fired on July 22, 1979
1979 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles ; Willie Stargell, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None.*National League Championship Series MVP: Willie Stargell...
. Cleveland played at a 38-28 clip under Garcia for the remainder of the season, and compiled a mark of 52-51 during the strike-shortened 1981
1981 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
campaign, but they never finished higher than fifth in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
. After a sixth-place finish in 1982
1982 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter...
, Garcia was fired. But he remained in the game into his mid 80s, as a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1983-84), a special assignment scout for the Brewers and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, and — from 2000
2000 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - New York Yankees*Postseason - October 3 to October 26Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
through 2002
2002 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Anaheim Angels*Postseason - October 1 to October 27Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
— a coach with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Garcia was named to Rockies' staff when he was 79 years of age by then-skipper Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
.
As a minor league manager in the Giants, Padres and Angels organizations, Garcia won 890 games and lost 785 (.531) and won three championships.