Doc Edwards
Encyclopedia
Howard Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians
, Kansas City Athletics
, New York Yankees
, and the Philadelphia Phillies
over parts of five seasons spanning eight years. He earned his nickname of "Doc" as a Navy medic.
Signed by the Indians, he spent some time in the minors before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics
for Dick Howser
in . After two years, he was traded to the Yankees, and less than a year later, he was sent back to Cleveland. In , he was traded to the Houston Astros
, who quickly released him. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies
in November for whom he became a bullpen coach. In June 1970, a series of injuries left the Phillies short a catcher and they activated the then 32-year old Edwards. Edwards responded with two-hits and then caught a Jim Bunning
-Dick Selma
two-hitter.
He coached with both the Phillies and Indians before becoming a manager at the minor league level, including for the Québec Metros
in 1977. In 1981, he managed the Rochester Red Wings
against the Pawtucket Red Sox
in a 33-inning game, the longest in professional baseball history. In , he was hired by the Indians, but their futility continued (they had only two winning seasons between 1968 and 1987. Edwards was fired with 19 games remaining in the and replaced with scout John Hart
.
Edwards is currently the field manager for the San Angelo Colts
, a team in the independent United League Baseball
. He has been managing this team for 2 years. On September 2, 2009, Edwards was awarded the 2009 United League Baseball Manager of the Year award. Doc also managed the Atlantic City Surf to the Championship during the inaugural season of the Atlantic League of independent Baseball in 1998.
Edwards has 4 children; Michelle, James, Mickie, and Sherly. He has them with his former wife Victoria.
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, and the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
over parts of five seasons spanning eight years. He earned his nickname of "Doc" as a Navy medic.
Signed by the Indians, he spent some time in the minors before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Dick Howser
Dick Howser
Richard Dalton Howser was an American Major League Baseball shortstop, coach and manager. He is best known as the manager of the Kansas City Royals during the 1980s, and for guiding them to the franchise's only World Series title in 1985.-Playing career:A native of Miami, Florida, Howser grew up...
in . After two years, he was traded to the Yankees, and less than a year later, he was sent back to Cleveland. In , he was traded to the Houston Astros
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...
, who quickly released him. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in November for whom he became a bullpen coach. In June 1970, a series of injuries left the Phillies short a catcher and they activated the then 32-year old Edwards. Edwards responded with two-hits and then caught a Jim Bunning
Jim Bunning
James Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career...
-Dick Selma
Dick Selma
Richard Jay Selma was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1965-1974...
two-hitter.
He coached with both the Phillies and Indians before becoming a manager at the minor league level, including for the Québec Metros
Québec Carnavals
The Québec Carnavals were a minor league baseball team in the Eastern League. They were known as the Quebec Metros from 1976-1977.After the team moved, Québec was without a minor league baseball team until the Québec Capitales began play in the Northern League in 1999.-Year-by-year record:...
in 1977. In 1981, he managed the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
against the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
in a 33-inning game, the longest in professional baseball history. In , he was hired by the Indians, but their futility continued (they had only two winning seasons between 1968 and 1987. Edwards was fired with 19 games remaining in the and replaced with scout John Hart
John Hart (baseball)
John Henry Hart is an American Major League Baseball executive. In addition, he is the former general manager of the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers; now he currently serves as senior adviser, baseball operations, for the Rangers...
.
Edwards is currently the field manager for the San Angelo Colts
San Angelo Colts
The San Angelo Colts are a professional baseball team based in San Angelo, Texas, in the United States. The Colts are a member of North American League, an independent professional league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
, a team in the independent United League Baseball
United League Baseball
United League Baseball was an independent baseball league that operated in Texas. It later merged with the Northern League and the Golden Baseball League to form the North American League.- History :...
. He has been managing this team for 2 years. On September 2, 2009, Edwards was awarded the 2009 United League Baseball Manager of the Year award. Doc also managed the Atlantic City Surf to the Championship during the inaugural season of the Atlantic League of independent Baseball in 1998.
Edwards has 4 children; Michelle, James, Mickie, and Sherly. He has them with his former wife Victoria.