George Bamberger/pagetext
From SABR Encyclopedia
George's major league career as a pitcher was very limited just over 14 innings with the New York Giants in 1951 and 1952 and Baltimore in 1959. The genial Bamberger recorded 213 victories in 18 years as a minor league pitcher but won more recognition as a Major League pitching coach and manager. He was the Baltimore Orioles pitching coach for a decade beginning in 1967. During that time, Baltimore such standouts as Jim Palmer,Dave McNally,Mike Cuellar and Pat Dobson all of whom won 20 games in 1971. In 1978 the Milwaukee Brewers hired him as manager and led them to a third place finish and was named TSN and UPI Manger of the Year. He was given a lifetime job in Milwaukee's front office but was lured away by the New York Mets. He managed the Mets from 1982 until he resigned voluntarily in June 1983, for health reasons. In 1985 and 1986 he returned Milwaukee as manager, finishing in sixth place both years.
Contents |
[edit] Profile
[edit] Personal
- Resided in Staten Island, New York in 1953.
- Self-identified as being of German ancestry.
- Said he would "never forget" Father's Day on June 17, 1951 as he became a father and pitched a no-hitter against Toronto.
- Lost his first start with Erie in the 1946 Middle Atlantic League but then won nine in a row.
[edit] Pre-professional career
- Attended McKee Vocational High School on Staten Island.
[edit] Achievements
- Led the 1946 Middle Atlantic League pitchers in earned run average with 1.35, an all-time Middle Atlantic League record.
- Tied for the lead in most shutouts pitched with 5 in the 1949 International League.
[edit] Outside of baseball
- Was a basketball director for the Police Athletic League on Staten Island during the off-season as of 1953.
- Served in the U.S. Army for two years.
[edit] Sources
- 1953 Pacific Coast League Sketch Book.
- The Ballplayers. New York: Arbor House-William Morrow, 1990.
- Who's Who in Professional Baseball. New Rochelle,NY: Arlington House, 1973.
