Eddie Popowski
Encyclopedia
Edward Joseph Popowski nicknamed "Pop," was an American
coach
and interim manager
for the Boston Red Sox
of Major League Baseball
. Popowski spent 65 years in organized baseball
— all of them in the Boston organization.
Only 5 in 4 in (1.63 m) tall, Popowski, a second baseman
, began playing in the Red Sox farm system in 1937
after touring with the barnstorming
, semi-professional baseball club "The House of David" as the only non-bearded player on the squad. He never played in the big leagues, but began a 21-year minor league
managerial career in 1941 with the Bosox' Centreville, Maryland
club in the Class D Eastern Shore League
. With time out for U.S. Army service during World War II
, he would manage and coach with Red Sox farm teams through 1966. He spent many years managing at the Class AA level, working patiently with Boston prospects. In his only AAA
managerial role, he was the last skipper in the history of the Minneapolis Millers
of the American Association
, in 1960
.
Not counting his Centreville tenure, Popowski compiled a record of 1,568 wins and 1,357 losses (.536), with four pennants, during his career as a minor league manager.
In 1967
, Popowski was promoted to the parent Red Sox as third-base coach under Dick Williams
. That season, the Red Sox, who had finished ninth in the ten-team American League
in 1966, stunned the baseball world by winning their first pennant since . Popowski was Boston's third-base coach for seven seasons, through , and twice served out a season as acting manager, relieving Williams in 1969
and Eddie Kasko
in 1973
, the latter for only one game. Popowski won six of the ten big league contests he managed. As a third-base coach, he was notable for flipping the ball behind his back to the pitcher when one came to rest inside his coach's box. He had learned the trick with the House of David.
He continued as Boston's first-base coach in 1974
and was a special assignment coach in 1975
, when the Red Sox once again won the American League flag. In 1976
, he began the year as a minor league instructor but he returned to the Boston coaching staff to fill the vacancy created when Don Zimmer
was promoted to manager after the firing
of Darrell Johnson
. Popowski coached in the dugout and at third base that season.
In 1977, he returned to Boston's farm system for good as a roving infield
instructor and coordinator of Boston's extended spring training
program. Although his responsibilities were gradually reduced as he grew older, he remained active in the Red Sox system through 2001, and his 88th birthday. A field in Boston's training base at Fort Myers, Florida
, is named in his honor.
Popowski was a lifelong resident of Sayreville, New Jersey
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
and interim 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...
for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
of 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...
. Popowski spent 65 years in organized baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
— all of them in the Boston organization.
Only 5 in 4 in (1.63 m) tall, Popowski, a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, began playing in the Red Sox farm system in 1937
1937 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over New York Giants *All-Star Game, July 7 at Griffith Stadium: American League, 8-3-Awards and honors:*MLB Most Valuable Player Award**American League: Charlie Gehringer, Detroit Tigers, 2B...
after touring with the barnstorming
Barnstorm
Barnstorm is the first album by Joe Walsh following his departure from the James Gang, released in 1972 . The core band on this album – Walsh, bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale – was also named Barnstorm.-History:With this album, Walsh and Barnstorm moved away...
, semi-professional baseball club "The House of David" as the only non-bearded player on the squad. He never played in the big leagues, but began a 21-year 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...
managerial career in 1941 with the Bosox' Centreville, Maryland
Centreville, Maryland
Centreville is an incorporated town in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, United States. Incorporated in 1794, it is the county seat of Queen Anne's County. The population was 1,970 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 21617 and the area code is 410. The local telephone exchange is 758...
club in the Class D Eastern Shore League
Eastern Shore Baseball League
The Eastern Shore Baseball League was a Class D minor league baseball league that operated on the Delmarva Peninsula for parts of three different decades. The league's first season was in 1922 and the last was in 1949, although the years were not consecutive, and featured teams from Maryland,...
. With time out for U.S. Army service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he would manage and coach with Red Sox farm teams through 1966. He spent many years managing at the Class AA level, working patiently with Boston prospects. In his only AAA
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...
managerial role, he was the last skipper in the history of the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
, in 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
.
Not counting his Centreville tenure, Popowski compiled a record of 1,568 wins and 1,357 losses (.536), with four pennants, during his career as a minor league manager.
In 1967
1967 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox ; Bob Gibson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at Anaheim Stadium: National League, 2-1 ; Tony Pérez, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, Popowski was promoted to the parent Red Sox as third-base coach under Dick Williams
Dick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
. That season, the Red Sox, who had finished ninth in the ten-team American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in 1966, stunned the baseball world by winning their first pennant since . Popowski was Boston's third-base coach for seven seasons, through , and twice served out a season as acting manager, relieving Williams in 1969
1969 Boston Red Sox season
The 1969 Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. In the first season following the split of the American League into two divisions, the Red Sox finished third in the newly-established American League East with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses.- Offseason :* October 15, 1968: Joe...
and Eddie Kasko
Eddie Kasko
Edward Michael Kasko is a former infielder, manager, scout and front office executive in American Major League Baseball....
in 1973
1973 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.- Offseason :...
, the latter for only one game. Popowski won six of the ten big league contests he managed. As a third-base coach, he was notable for flipping the ball behind his back to the pitcher when one came to rest inside his coach's box. He had learned the trick with the House of David.
He continued as Boston's first-base coach in 1974
1974 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing third in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.- Offseason :...
and was a special assignment coach in 1975
1975 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 65 losses...
, when the Red Sox once again won the American League flag. In 1976
1976 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.- Offseason :...
, he began the year as a minor league instructor but he returned to the Boston coaching staff to fill the vacancy created when Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer
Donald William "Popeye" Zimmer is a former infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball, currently serving as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization...
was promoted to manager after the firing
Firing
Dismissal is the termination of employment by an employer against the will of the employee. Though such a decision can be made by an employer for a variety of reasons, ranging from an economic downturn to performance-related problems on the part of the employee, being fired has a strong stigma in...
of Darrell Johnson
Darrell Johnson
Darrell Dean Johnson was an American Major League Baseball catcher, coach, manager and scout.-Playing career:...
. Popowski coached in the dugout and at third base that season.
In 1977, he returned to Boston's farm system for good as a roving infield
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...
instructor and coordinator of Boston's extended spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
program. Although his responsibilities were gradually reduced as he grew older, he remained active in the Red Sox system through 2001, and his 88th birthday. A field in Boston's training base at Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
, is named in his honor.
Popowski was a lifelong resident of Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville is a borough located on the Raritan River, near Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 42,704....
.
External links
- Baseball-Reference.com - managerial record
- The Dead Ball Era - obituary