Ralph Houk dies at age 90

[Jimbo]

Houk dies at 90; managed 2 champions

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox say former manager Ralph Houk has died. He was 90.

Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani says Houk died in Winter Haven, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon. The team heard from Houk's grandson, who lives in the Boston area. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Houk spent parts of eight seasons as a backup catcher for the New York Yankees, appearing in just 91 games. But he made his mark as a manager, managing 3,157 games and winning 1,619 over 20 seasons with the Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Red Sox.

He won the World Series in 1961 and '62 with the Yankees in his first two years as a manager, and won another AL pennant the next season.


R.I.P. Ralph

 

[HIFI]

R.I.P.

 

[salsadancer7]

R.I.P.

 

[BillD1984]

One of my favorite managers of all-time!!

He managed the Red Sox during the infamous Carlton Fisk/Fred Lynn/Rick Burleson mass exodus, and did an outstanding job despite the devoid of talent. It was then that I nicknamed him the Incredible Houk.

A true CLASS ACT!!!!

R.I.P. Ralph

 

[riffjim4069]

One of my favorite managers of all-time!!

He managed the Red Sox during the infamous Carlton Fisk/Fred Lynn/Rick Burleson mass exodus, and did an outstanding job despite the devoid of talent. It was then that I nicknamed him the Incredible Houk.

A true CLASS ACT!!!!

R.I.P. Ralph

I can only ditto everything you mentioned. R.I.P.

 

[Mr Tony]

RIP

 

[Jimbo]

One of my favorite managers of all-time!!

He managed the Red Sox during the infamous Carlton Fisk/Fred Lynn/Rick Burleson mass exodus, and did an outstanding job despite the devoid of talent. It was then that I nicknamed him the Incredible Houk.

A true CLASS ACT!!!!

R.I.P. Ralph

Fisk, Lynn and Burlson and you said "DEVOID OF TALENT" ?

 

[Ramy]

Never heard of him, but R.I.P.

 

[BillD1984]

One of my favorite managers of all-time!!

He managed the Red Sox during the infamous Carlton Fisk/Fred Lynn/Rick Burleson mass exodus, and did an outstanding job despite the devoid of talent. It was then that I nicknamed him the Incredible Houk.

A true CLASS ACT!!!!

R.I.P. Ralph

Fisk, Lynn and Burlson and you said "DEVOID OF TALENT" ?

You must not have seen the "mass exodus" part.

 

[Bulldog]

1961 “Dream Team”

Man, this is really a sad year for the Yankees

I will never forget the great 1961 season with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris; and that 1961 “Dream Team” .

That was a year.

RIP Ralph.

 

[Jimbo]

You must not have seen the "mass exodus" part.

Sorry .... mis read it.

 

[BillD1984]

Read an interesting stat today........

With the passing of Mr. Houk, there are now only 8 living managers who have won multiple World Series:

Joe Torre (1996, 98, 99, 2000)
Sparky Anderson (1975, 76, 84)
Dick Williams (1972, 73)
Tom Lasorda (1981, 88)
Tom Kelly (1987, 91)
Tony LaRussa (1989, 2006)
Cito Gaston (1992, 93)
Terry Francona (2004, 07)

Another interesting thing about Houk's tenure as Red Sox manager:

He was Sox manager for Carl Yastremski's last season, and Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens first season.

 

[Jimbo]

Read an interesting stat today........

With the passing of Mr. Houk, there are now only 8 living managers who have won multiple World Series:

Joe Torre (1996, 98, 99, 2000)
Sparky Anderson (1975, 76, 84)
Dick Williams (1972, 73)
Tom Lasorda (1981, 88)
Tom Kelly (1987, 91)
Tony LaRussa (1989, 2006)
Cito Gaston (1992, 93)
Terry Francona (2004, 07)

Another interesting thing about Houk's tenure as Red Sox manager:

He was Sox manager for Carl Yastremski's last season, and Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens first season.

I find it interesting that there are not MORE managers with more than 2 WS wins.
Of course this list is of living only.