Zimmer was already gone as manager of the Padres by the time this card would have come out in the Spring of 1974, but the fact that there wasn’t a Padre-manager card in the 1974 set did not go unnoticed.
And yes, I had to create BOTH a San Diego version, as well as the “Washington” version like so many of the other Padres in the 1974 set when it looked like the organization was moving to the D.C. area.
Definitely a hard-luck job at that time, “Zim” managed the team to a combined 114-190 record over those two seasons, finishing in sixth-place both years.
But he would have greater success later on, as manager of the Boston Red Sox from 1976 through 1980, then on to the Chicago Cubs from 1988 to 1991 (with a short managerial gig with the Texas Rangers in 1981-1982).
Of course, Zimmer will always be remembered most as a baseball “lifer”, playing, coaching and managing in Major League ball for an incredible 61 years, from 1954 to 2014.
Loved him when he was coaching with the New York Yankees during the Joe Torre years!
Rest in Peace “Popeye”! You are missed!
