Do As I Do, Not As I Say – HoF Players Who Were Terrible Managers

Last post, we looked at HoF managers who were terrible players. This week, it’s just the opposite.

Now, there are tons of HoF players who got a shot at managing. A good number finished with records in the 500s. Probably more, though, were in the 400s.

I’m limiting this post to those in the 300s or lower. They’ll be ordered in decreasing order of winning percentage.

 

Ed Walsh

• Record:  1-2, 333
• Years:  1924
• Teams:  CWS
• Notes:  Interim manager between HoFers Johnny Evers & Eddie Collins

Pud Galvin

• Record:  7-17, 292
• Years:  1885
• Teams:  Buffalo Bisons
• Notes:  Later became an MLB umpire

Bobby Wallace

• Record:  62-154, 287
• Years:  3; 1911-12, 1937
• Teams:  StL Browns, Cinn
• Notes:  Once said, “I never had the slightest desire to be a major league manager and all knew it.”

Jim Bottomley

• Record:  21-56, 273
• Years:  1937
• Teams:  StL Browns
• Notes:  Took over for fellow HoFer Rogers Hornsby

Luke Appling

• Record:  10-30, 250
• Years:  1967
• Teams:  KC Athletics
• Notes:  Long-time minor league manager and major league coach

Honus Wagner

• Record:  1-4, 200
• Years:  1917
• Teams:  Pitt
• Notes:  Pirate coach for 39 years

Roger Connor

• Record:  8-37, 178
• Years:  1896
• Teams:  StL Browns
• Notes:  1 of 5 managers that year