More Bad News for the Yankees, Former Player/Manager Ralph Houk Has Died - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-21-2010, 09:43 PM

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Ralph Houk, who managed the powerhouse Yankees teams of the early 1960s to two World Series championships, died Wednesday. He was 90.

Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani said Houk's grandson, Scott Slaboden, told the team Houk died at his home in Winter Haven, Fla.

Slaboden, who lives in the Boston area, told the team in an e-mail that Houk "died peacefully of natural causes after having a brief illness."

Houk spent parts of eight seasons as a backup catcher for the New York Yankees, appearing in just 91 games.

"People forget that before he was a manager, he was a war hero and he was a catcher for a lot of years," Tigers radio analyst Jim Price said. "He was a great guy, I knew him very well, and everyone that played for him loved him."

He made his mark as a manager, managing 3,157 games and winning 1,619 over 20 seasons with the Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Red Sox.

His best seasons as a manager were his first three. He took over the New Yankees in 1961 and behind Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris the team won 109 game and a World Series championship.

The Yankees repeated as champions in 1962 and won the AL pennant in 1963, but were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Houk moved into the front office after that series, becoming Yankees general manager in 1964 and '65.

He returned to managing the Yankees in 1966 and held the job until 1973, but he only had four more winning seasons and never finished better than second place.

He moved on to the Tigers in 1974 and was their manager until 1978, but the team's only winning season under Houk came in his last season.

He managed the Red Sox from 1981-84 and retired with a winning percentage of .514 overall.

Mr. Television · 07-21-2010, 10:07 PM

Wow. The Yankees sure have been having a rough couple of weeks. How Sad. I always liked Ralph Houk. He was one of the greats of the game. R.I.P.

Marvo301 · 07-21-2010, 10:11 PM

Ralph Houk

catlover79 · 07-21-2010, 11:19 PM

Wow, they really DO come in threes!!!

James · 07-23-2010, 03:59 AM

Godspeed, Ralph! I remember your name from my baseball card collecting days!

Tweety · 08-03-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Godspeed, Ralph! I remember your name from my baseball card collecting days!

Yup, me too...I think I have his 1970 card (from the 1969 season).

07-21-2010, 09:43 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,499	More Bad News for the Yankees, Former Player/Manager Ralph Houk Has Died Link Ralph Houk, who managed the powerhouse Yankees teams of the early 1960s to two World Series championships, died Wednesday. He was 90. Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani said Houk's grandson, Scott Slaboden, told the team Houk died at his home in Winter Haven, Fla. Slaboden, who lives in the Boston area, told the team in an e-mail that Houk "died peacefully of natural causes after having a brief illness." Houk spent parts of eight seasons as a backup catcher for the New York Yankees, appearing in just 91 games. "People forget that before he was a manager, he was a war hero and he was a catcher for a lot of years," Tigers radio analyst Jim Price said. "He was a great guy, I knew him very well, and everyone that played for him loved him." He made his mark as a manager, managing 3,157 games and winning 1,619 over 20 seasons with the Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Red Sox. His best seasons as a manager were his first three. He took over the New Yankees in 1961 and behind Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris the team won 109 game and a World Series championship. The Yankees repeated as champions in 1962 and won the AL pennant in 1963, but were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Houk moved into the front office after that series, becoming Yankees general manager in 1964 and '65. He returned to managing the Yankees in 1966 and held the job until 1973, but he only had four more winning seasons and never finished better than second place. He moved on to the Tigers in 1974 and was their manager until 1978, but the team's only winning season under Houk came in his last season. He managed the Red Sox from 1981-84 and retired with a winning percentage of .514 overall.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-21-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Wow. The Yankees sure have been having a rough couple of weeks. How Sad. I always liked Ralph Houk. He was one of the greats of the game. R.I.P.
	__________________ Sonny

07-21-2010, 10:11 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Ralph Houk
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

07-21-2010, 11:19 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Wow, they really DO come in threes!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-23-2010, 03:59 AM	#5
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Godspeed, Ralph! I remember your name from my baseball card collecting days!