Eddie Stanky

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Edward Raymond Stanky (September 3, 1916 - June 16, 1999), nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs (1943-1944), Brooklyn Dodgers (1944-1947), Boston Braves (1948-1949), New York Giants (1950-1951), and St. Louis Cardinals (1952-1953).

Born in Philadelphia to Mary Tejsharsky, wife of Mr. Stanky (unknown first name), Edward Stanky was famous for his ability to draw walks; he drew 100 walks each in 6 different seasons, twice posting 140. In 1946, Stanky hit just .273, but his 137 walks allowed him to lead the league in OBP with a .436 figure, edging out Stan Musial - who led in 10+ batting departments. His best season was probably in 1950 with New York, when he hit an even .300 and led the league in walks (144) and OBP (.460). On August 30 of that year, he tied a Major League record when he drew a walk in seven consecutive plate appearances. He accomplished the feat over a two-game span. He was referred to as "Burwell" rather than Stanky in the "Jackie Robinson Story."

His Giants manager Leo Durocher once summed up Stanky's talents: "He can't hit, can't run, can't field. He's no nice guy... all the little SOB can do is win." Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto still complained years later about a play during the 1951 World Series where Stanky kicked the ball loose from Rizzuto's glove. One season, whenever he was the runner on third base, Stanky developed the habit of standing several feet back of the bag, in left field. If a fly ball was hit, he would time its arc, then take off running so as to step on third base just as the catch was being made. In this way he would be running towards home at full speed from the beginning of the play, making it almost impossible to throw him out. This tactic was made illegal following the season. Stanky was also (in)famous for what came to be called "the Stanky maneuver", where he would take advantage of his position on second base to distract opposing batters by jumping up and down and waving his arms behind the pitcher.

An intense competitor, Stanky managed the Cardinals from 1952 through the middle of the 1955 season, and the Chicago White Sox from 1966 through mid-1968. In between, he also spent time as a coach for the Cleveland Indians and a member of the front offices of the Cardinals and the New York Mets. After almost a decade as head baseball coach at the University of South Alabama, he returned to the majors as manager of the Texas Rangers in 1977, winning his debut game. But, having second thoughts about leaving his adopted state of Alabama, he immediately resigned. His career managerial mark was 467-435 (.518).

Stanky was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He died at age 82 in Fairhope, Alabama leaving four children Beverly, Kay, Maryann, and Mike.

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions
• Chicago White Sox all-time roster

[edit] External links

• Baseball-Reference.com - career playing statistics and managing record
• The Deadball Era