Mel McGaha

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Fred Melvin McGaha (born September 26, 1926, in Bastrop, Louisiana) was an American coach and manager in Major League Baseball. McGaha managed the Cleveland Indians (1962) and the Kansas City Athletics (1964-65) and compiled a career record of 123-173 (.416).

McGaha graduated from the University of Arkansas and played a season of professional basketball with the New York Knicks of the NBA. He signed his first baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1948. An outfielder who batted and threw right-handed, McGaha never played in the major leagues. But he achieved success as a minor league manager, especially in 1960 when he led the AAA Toronto Maple Leafs to 100 victories and the International League pennant. The following year he was promoted to a coaching post with the parent Indians, and then became their manager at age 35 in 1962, succeeding Jimmie Dykes. He was fired with two games remaining in his maiden season with Cleveland 78-82 and in sixth place.

In 1963, McGaha became a coach for the A's, and started the 1964 campaign in that role. In June, with Kansas City in last place under manager Eddie Lopat, owner Charlie Finley, known for his quick trigger finger in hiring and firing, abruptly shifted McGaha into the Kansas City front office; then, a few days later, moved him back onto the field as Lopat's successor. The A's revived somewhat, but still finished last, and when they won only five of their first 26 games in 1965, McGaha himself was released, and replaced by Haywood Sullivan.

McGaha finished his career in uniform with the Houston Astros as a minor league manager (1966-67) and major league coach (1968-70).

[edit] External link

• Baseball-Reference.com - career managing record

Preceded by Mel Harder	Cleveland Indians Manager 1962	Succeeded by Birdie Tebbetts
Preceded by Eddie Lopat	Kansas City Athletics Manager 1964-1965	Succeeded by Haywood Sullivan