Eddie Popowski
From SoSH
Edward Joseph "Eddie"/"Pop" Popowski
Contents |
[edit]
Highlights
- Went 5-4 as manager of the 1969 Red Sox after Dick Williams was fired. Went 1-0 as manager of the 1973 Red Sox after Eddie Kasko.
- Spent 65 seasons overall with the Sox, longer than even Johnny Pesky (54 seasons as of 2006).
[edit]
Career
- Before turning pro, he was the only non-bearded member of the House of David barnstorming team. THe HOD was a cult that used its baseball league to raise money, and Pop was one of the "hired" players. (check out the pictures of the players on that link, they were the original caveman baseball players).
- He signed with the Sox in 1937, and played 2B.
- Took on year off (1942) to join the Army.
- In 1945, hit .321 as player-Manager of the Roanoke Ro-Sox
- Spent 21 years as a minor league manager, and
- His first major league experience was as a coach with the 1967 Red Sox, and stayed up through 1974. Was 3rd Base Coach from 1967-1973, and 1st Base in 1974. In 1975 he became the special assignment coach before returning to work in the minors in 1976, after Don Zimmer took over managing.
- Was minor league instructor from 1976 to 2001, and coordinator of extended spring training for 14 seasons during that time.
- In March 1997, the main field at the Minor League Complex in Ft. Myers was renamed "Eddie Popowski Field.
- Celebrated his 85th birthday at Fenway in 1998.
- On Feb 14, 1999, was inducted into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame, in recognition for his years of managing and coaching Roanoke.
[edit]
Managerial Record
Year League Team Age G W L WP Finish
1969 AL East BostonRS 55 9 5 4 .556 3
1973 AL East BostonRS 59 1 1 0 1.000 2
TOTAL 10 6 4 .600
[edit]
Quotes
- "He attended one of the English classes several springs ago and listened to the instructor who was telling the players to repeat the phrase ‘I want pizza.’ After the class the instructor asked Pop what he thought of the class. My dad in his inimitable way said: ‘You do a good job, but could you teach them to say ‘Hit the cutoff man?’." boston.com
[edit]
