College of Coaches
Encyclopedia
The College of Coaches was an unorthodox strategy employed by the Chicago Cubs
in 1961
and 1962
. After the Cubs finished 60-94 in 1960
, their 14th straight second-division finish, Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced in December 1960 that the Cubs would no longer have a manager, but would be led by an eight-man committee. The experiment was widely ridiculed in baseball circles, and was effectively ended in 1962 before being completely abandoned in 1965.
for his input on a successor to Charlie Grimm
. Tappe said years later that he suggested Wrigley not allow the manager to bring in his own coaches, as was standard practice. Rather, he suggested Wrigley bring in eight veterans from the Cubs organization as coaches—four for the minors
and four for the Cubs. Tappe believed that if the coaches remained the same during inevitable managerial changes, the franchise would still have some consistency. Wrigley liked this idea, but added a twist—one of the coaches should also fill the manager's role.
The Cubs officially rolled out the College of Coaches during 1961 spring training. The original "faculty" included Tappe, Grimm, Goldie Holt
, Bobby Adams
, Harry Craft
, Verlon Walker
, Ripper Collins
and Vedie Himsl
. Each coach would serve as "head coach" for part of the season. The original concept called for the eight coaches to rotate through the entire organization from the low minors all the way to the Cubs, ensuring a standard system of play. Additionally, Wrigley argued that it would be better for the players to be exposed to the wisdom and experience of eight men rather than just one.
In announcing the experiment, Wrigley argued, "Managers are expendable. I believe there should be relief managers just like relief pitchers." He also contended that the manager system was nepotistic and led to constant turnover.
, the other coaches didn't bother to help the "head coach," leaving whoever was in charge to fend for himself.
Under the circumstances, the result was predictable. Without firm and consistent leadership, chaos reigned in the Cubs' dugout. The head coach position rotated among four different men in 1961 and three more in 1962 — two of whom were holdovers from 1961 — and all seven had losing records.
In 1961, the Cubs finished with a 64-90 record, seventh in the National League
, which was actually a slight improvement over the previous year. The 1962 season brought the worst record in Cubs history, as they finished 59-103, in ninth place in the expanded NL, as only the first-year New York Mets
, who lost 120 games, finished lower. Chicago finished six games behind the second expansion team, the Houston Colt .45s
, in the standings. One anonymous player told the Chicago Tribune
that he'd never been on a club with lower morale in his career.
Most of the Cubs farm teams also employed multiple managers because of the College of Coaches concept. For instance, Lou Klein
, who joined the College midway through the 1961 season, found himself leading teams ranging from Class D to the parent club during the 1961 season.
, as sole head coach for at least two seasons. As early as the 1961-62 offseason, however, Wrigley had hinted that the Cubs might have a single head coach for an entire season.
At the same time, Wrigley borrowed from American universities the concept of hiring an "athletic director" to coordinate the system. He hired Bob Whitlow
, a former United States Air Force
colonel
with no baseball experience, to fill the post, although team vice president John Holland
remained the club's nominal general manager
. Whitlow was disliked by the players for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that he decided to improve the batters' background at Wrigley Field by constructing a fence atop the wall in straightaway center field and allowed the ivy to twine its way up, thus forming a solid background of ivy. This resulted in several would-be home run balls staying in play. To the minds of players, sportswriters and fans, this was proof that Whitlow was in over his head.
Under Kennedy, the Cubs finished 82-80 in 1963—their first winning season since 1946
. This led Kennedy to assert a more traditional managerial authority over the team, though he still retained the title of head coach. However, they would sink back toward the bottom of the NL standings the next season.
Kennedy was replaced by Klein in June 1965, who finished out the season. In November, Wrigley hired Leo Durocher
to replace Klein. At his press conference, Durocher ended the College of Coaches experiment by declaring himself manager, with Wrigley's blessing.
The College of Coaches, which has never been attempted by another Major League Baseball
team, remains widely ridiculed to this day. Despite having several Cubs legends and fan favorites in the lineup during this time—such as Ernie Banks
, Billy Williams and Ron Santo
--the Cubs never finished higher than seventh during the four-year experiment, and were never fewer than 17 games out of first.
However, the concept of a "system" throughout all levels of the farm clubs, and of a significant number of specialty coaches, pioneered by the Brooklyn Dodgers
, Baltimore Orioles
, and other teams before the College of Coaches was created, is used by every major league club today.
(1961)
(1961–63)
(1961)
(1965)
(1964)
(1964–65)
(1964)
(1961–62)
(1965)
(1965)
(1961–64)
(1961–64)
(1962–65)
(1961–65)
(1965)
(1964)
(1961–64)
(1962)
(1962–65)
(1965)
(1961–65)
(1961–65)
(1963–64)
Craft, Himsl, Klein, Lockman, Tappe and Walker also served as Chicago coaches either immediately before or immediately after the College of Coaches experiment.
1962
1963
1964
1965
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
and 1962
1962 in baseball
The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40–120 record of the New York Mets, the third-worst winning percentage and the record for most games lost since 1900.-Major League Baseball:...
. After the Cubs finished 60-94 in 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
, their 14th straight second-division finish, Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced in December 1960 that the Cubs would no longer have a manager, but would be led by an eight-man committee. The experiment was widely ridiculed in baseball circles, and was effectively ended in 1962 before being completely abandoned in 1965.
Concept
After the 1961 season, Wrigley went to backup catcher and coach El TappeEl Tappe
Elvin Walter Tappe was an American professional baseball player, a catcher for the Chicago Cubs from 1954 to 1962, but he was best known for being part of the Philip K. Wrigley-implemented College of Coaches in the 1961 season...
for his input on a successor to Charlie Grimm
Charlie Grimm
Charles John Grimm , nicknamed "Jolly Cholly", was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs; he was also a sometime radio broadcaster, and a popular goodwill ambassador for baseball...
. Tappe said years later that he suggested Wrigley not allow the manager to bring in his own coaches, as was standard practice. Rather, he suggested Wrigley bring in eight veterans from the Cubs organization as coaches—four for the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and four for the Cubs. Tappe believed that if the coaches remained the same during inevitable managerial changes, the franchise would still have some consistency. Wrigley liked this idea, but added a twist—one of the coaches should also fill the manager's role.
The Cubs officially rolled out the College of Coaches during 1961 spring training. The original "faculty" included Tappe, Grimm, Goldie Holt
Goldie Holt
Golden Desmond Holt was a player, coach and manager in Minor League Baseball, who also was a coach for several Major League Baseball teams. He was a manager and coach for several minor league teams between 1938 and 1947 and betweenn 1954-1958...
, Bobby Adams
Bobby Adams
Robert Henry Adams was a third baseman/second baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds & Redlegs , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs . Adams batted and threw right-handed...
, Harry Craft
Harry Craft
Harry Francis Craft was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. Born in Ellisville, Mississippi, he was an center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1937–1942...
, Verlon Walker
Verlon Walker
Verlon Lee Walker was an American catcher in minor league baseball and a coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1961 through 1970...
, Ripper Collins
Ripper Collins
James Anthony "Rip" Collins was a Major League Baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates....
and Vedie Himsl
Vedie Himsl
Avitus Bernard "Vedie" Himsl was an American baseball coach and scout. He was born in Plevna, Montana.- Career:...
. Each coach would serve as "head coach" for part of the season. The original concept called for the eight coaches to rotate through the entire organization from the low minors all the way to the Cubs, ensuring a standard system of play. Additionally, Wrigley argued that it would be better for the players to be exposed to the wisdom and experience of eight men rather than just one.
In announcing the experiment, Wrigley argued, "Managers are expendable. I believe there should be relief managers just like relief pitchers." He also contended that the manager system was nepotistic and led to constant turnover.
Chaos (1961-1962)
However, there was no discernible pattern in the coaching rotation, and occasionally the various coaches were at odds with each other. Each coach brought a different playing style and a different lineup. Additionally, according to relief pitcher Don ElstonDon Elston
Donald Ray Elston was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers . Elston batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Campbellstown, Ohio....
, the other coaches didn't bother to help the "head coach," leaving whoever was in charge to fend for himself.
Under the circumstances, the result was predictable. Without firm and consistent leadership, chaos reigned in the Cubs' dugout. The head coach position rotated among four different men in 1961 and three more in 1962 — two of whom were holdovers from 1961 — and all seven had losing records.
In 1961, the Cubs finished with a 64-90 record, seventh in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, which was actually a slight improvement over the previous year. The 1962 season brought the worst record in Cubs history, as they finished 59-103, in ninth place in the expanded NL, as only the first-year New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, who lost 120 games, finished lower. Chicago finished six games behind the second expansion team, the Houston Colt .45s
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, in the standings. One anonymous player told the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
that he'd never been on a club with lower morale in his career.
Most of the Cubs farm teams also employed multiple managers because of the College of Coaches concept. For instance, Lou Klein
Lou Klein
Louis Frank Klein was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cleveland Indians, and the Philadelphia Athletics, but he was best known as one of the players that jumped to the Mexican League and was subsequently banned by Commissioner Happy Chandler for a five year span .Klein was the...
, who joined the College midway through the 1961 season, found himself leading teams ranging from Class D to the parent club during the 1961 season.
Stability and one winning season (1963-1965)
Before the 1963 season, Wrigley designated one member of the College, Bob KennedyBob Kennedy
Robert Daniel Kennedy was a right fielder/third baseman, manager and executive in Major League Baseball.From 1939-1957, Kennedy played for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and Brooklyn Dodgers . He batted and threw right-handed...
, as sole head coach for at least two seasons. As early as the 1961-62 offseason, however, Wrigley had hinted that the Cubs might have a single head coach for an entire season.
At the same time, Wrigley borrowed from American universities the concept of hiring an "athletic director" to coordinate the system. He hired Bob Whitlow
Robert V. Whitlow
Colonel Robert V. Whitlow was an American military officer, football coach, university athletic director, and sports club executive. He served as the first head football coach and athletic director of the United States Air Force Academy in 1955...
, a former United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
with no baseball experience, to fill the post, although team vice president John Holland
John Holland (baseball executive)
John David Holland was an American baseball executive who served as general manager of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball from 1956 to 1975...
remained the club's nominal general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
. Whitlow was disliked by the players for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that he decided to improve the batters' background at Wrigley Field by constructing a fence atop the wall in straightaway center field and allowed the ivy to twine its way up, thus forming a solid background of ivy. This resulted in several would-be home run balls staying in play. To the minds of players, sportswriters and fans, this was proof that Whitlow was in over his head.
Under Kennedy, the Cubs finished 82-80 in 1963—their first winning season since 1946
1946 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox *All-Star Game, July 9 at Fenway Park: American League, 12–0-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Newark Eagles over Kansas City Monarchs...
. This led Kennedy to assert a more traditional managerial authority over the team, though he still retained the title of head coach. However, they would sink back toward the bottom of the NL standings the next season.
Kennedy was replaced by Klein in June 1965, who finished out the season. In November, Wrigley hired Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
to replace Klein. At his press conference, Durocher ended the College of Coaches experiment by declaring himself manager, with Wrigley's blessing.
The College of Coaches, which has never been attempted by another Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team, remains widely ridiculed to this day. Despite having several Cubs legends and fan favorites in the lineup during this time—such as Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks
Ernest "Ernie" Banks , nicknamed "Mr. Cub", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and first baseman. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.-High school years:Banks was a letterman and standout in football,...
, Billy Williams and Ron Santo
Ron Santo
Ronald Edward Santo was an American professional baseball player and long-time radio sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1974, most notably as the third baseman for the Chicago Cubs. A nine-time All-Star, he was a powerful hitter who was also a good defensive...
--the Cubs never finished higher than seventh during the four-year experiment, and were never fewer than 17 games out of first.
However, the concept of a "system" throughout all levels of the farm clubs, and of a significant number of specialty coaches, pioneered by the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, and other teams before the College of Coaches was created, is used by every major league club today.
Members of the College of Coaches
(1961–65)(1961)
(1961–63)
(1961)
(1965)
(1964)
(1964–65)
(1964)
(1961–62)
(1965)
(1965)
(1961–64)
(1961–64)
(1962–65)
(1961–65)
(1965)
(1964)
(1961–64)
(1962)
(1962–65)
(1965)
(1961–65)
(1961–65)
(1963–64)
Craft, Himsl, Klein, Lockman, Tappe and Walker also served as Chicago coaches either immediately before or immediately after the College of Coaches experiment.
Head coaches
1961- Vedie Himsl, 10-21
- Harry Craft, 7-9
- El Tappe, 42-54
- Lou Klein, 5-6
1962
- El Tappe, 4-16
- Lou Klein, 12-18
- Charlie Metro, 43-69
1963
- Bob Kennedy, 82-80
1964
- Bob Kennedy, 76-86
1965
- Bob Kennedy, 24-32
- Lou Klein, 48-58
Sources
- Baseball Library's history of the Cubs
- Listing of Cubs managers and records
- http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1074669/index.htmSports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
, April 8, 1963]