Bill McKechnie

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Bill McKechnie baseball card, 1912
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Bill McKechnie baseball card, 1912

William Boyd McKechnie (August 7, 1886 - October 29, 1965) was a Major League Baseball player and manager. Nicknamed "Deacon" because he sang in his church choir and generally lived a quiet life, his 1892 wins as a manager ranks 11th all-time.

Born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, McKechnie made his major league debut in 1907 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in 3 games, before reemerging with the team in 1910 in a more substantial role. A utility infielder, McKechnie played with the Pirates (1907, 1910-1912, 1918, 1920), Boston Braves (1913), New York Yankees (1913), Indianapolis Hoosiers (1914), Newark Peppers (1915), New York Giants (1916) and Cincinnati Reds (1916 - 1917). His best offensive season came in 1914 with the Hoosiers, in which he scored 107 runs, batted .304 and stole 47 bases.

Baseball Hall of Fame
Bill McKechnie
is a member of
the Baseball
Hall of Fame

McKechnie got his first taste of managerial duties in 1915 when he managed 102 games for the Newark Pepper, leading the team to a 54-45 record. Shortly after retiring as a player in 1920, McKechnie returned to manage full time, assuming the helm of the Pirates in 1922. Managing the Pirates (1922 - 1926), St. Louis Cardinals (1928 - 1929), Boston Braves (1930 - 1937) and Cincinnati Reds (1938 - 1946), he compiled 1896 wins and 1723 losses for a .524 winning percentage. His teams won four National League pennants (1925, 1928, 1939 and 1940) and two World Series championships (1925 and 1940), and he remains the only manager to win National League pennants with three different teams (Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Cincinnati). His 1896 wins ranks 11th all-time among major league managers.

McKechnie was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1967.

The Pirates spring training home, McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida, is named after him.

[edit] Stats

Number of Games Average HR RBI
845 .251 8 240
Wins-Losses Winning %
Manager 1898-1724 .524
World Series 8-14 .364

[edit] External links

Preceded by:
George Gibson
Pittsburgh Pirates Managers
1922–1926
Succeeded by:
Donie Bush
Preceded by:
Bob O'Farrell
St. Louis Cardinals Manager
1928
Succeeded by:
Billy Southworth
Preceded by:
Billy Southworth
St. Louis Cardinals Manager
1929
Succeeded by:
Gabby Street
Preceded by:
Emil Fuchs
Boston Braves Managers
1930-1937
Succeeded by:
Casey Stengel
Preceded by:
Bobby Wallace
Cincinnati Reds Manager
1938-1946
Succeeded by:
Hank Gowdy
In other languages