Danny Murtaugh

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Murtaugh's first full season as manager in 1958 saw the Pirates surprise the National League with a second-place finish. In 1960, his third full season, the Pirates won the pennant by seven games over the Milwaukee Braves, then stunned the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Yankees outscored Pittsburgh 55–27, including three blowouts (16–3, 10–0, 12–0), but the Pirates took the other four games by a combined +7 run differential, capped by Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run in Game 7. On September 1, 1971, Murtaugh became the first manager in major league history to field a starting lineup of nine black players; the Pirates beat the Phillies 10–7. That October, his Pirates came back from a two-games-to-none deficit against the Baltimore Orioles to win the 1971 World Series, led by Roberto Clemente's .414 batting average with twelve hits.

In Their Own Story

The lights at Forbes Field hummed low over the seventh-inning crowd on October 13, 1960. Danny Murtaugh stood in the dugout, cap pulled tight against the autumn chill, watching Bill Mazeroski step into the box. The Yankees lead was gone; now only a home run could win it all. As the bat cracked and the ball soared over the fence, Murtaugh didn't cheer immediately. He simply exhaled, knowing the weight of Pittsburgh's history had just shifted onto his shoulders forever.

Reader's Guide

Murtaugh's managerial career began when he succeeded Bobby Bragan on August 4, 1957, with the Pirates at 36–67; under Murtaugh, they won 26 of their final 51 games. After stepping down in 1964 due to health problems, he moved to the front office as an assistant to general manager Joe L. Brown. He returned as interim manager in 1967 after Harry Walker was fired, then reclaimed the job full-time in 1970 after Larry Shepard was fired. His 1970 and 1971 teams won NL East titles, with the 1971 club winning the World Series. Citing renewed health concerns after being hospitalized for chest pain during the 1971 season, Murtaugh resigned again, but returned in 1973 when the Pirates were 67–69, winning NL East titles in 1974 and 1975. After a second-place finish in 1976, both Murtaugh and Brown announced their retirements. Murtaugh suffered a stroke on November 30, 1976, and died at age 59 on December 2 at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania. His number 40 was retired by the Pirates on April 7, 1977.

Did You Know?

• As a rookie in 1941, Murtaugh led the National League in stolen bases with 18 despite playing only 85 games after being acquired from Houston in late June.
• Murtaugh declined the opportunity to play baseball during World War II and served in combat with the 97th Infantry in Germany.
• He was the first manager in major league history to field a starting lineup of nine black players on September 1, 1971.
• Murtaugh's 1971 Pirates came back from a two-games-to-none deficit to beat the favored Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
• He is one of only twelve managers in major league history to win 1,000 games while also not losing 1,000 games.