Always a good day here on the blog when I can add another custom card for "Popeye" Don Zimmer, one of my favorite "baseball people". This one a dedicated 1977 manager card:
"Zim"
took over as manager of the Boston Red Sox about half way through the
1976 season, leading them to a 42-34 record under his watch the rest of
the way.
Over
the next three years he'd have the BoSox in the thick of things,
winning 97, 99 and 91 games, but always falling JUST a bit short to the
New York Yankees the first two seasons, and the Baltimore Orioles the
third.
In
1980 he'd start the year with Boston, guiding them to a record of 82-73
before being let go towards the end of the year, moving on to the Texas
Rangers during the strike year of 1981, where he'd manage through the
first half of 1982.
After
that, he'd coach until he was handed the managerial job of the Chicago
Cubs in 1988, where he'd lead them through the first third of the 1991
season, including their fun 1989 season that saw the Cubbies finish in
first before losing to the San Francisco Giants in the N.L. playoffs.
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!
Loved him when he was coaching with the New York Yankees during the Joe Torre years!
Rest in Peace “Popeye”! You are missed!
