Books and articles about Jimmy Dykes

Jimmy Dykes averaged 125 games in 13 full seasons with the Athletics, but only once played the same position all year - second base in 1921. He had big, strong wrists from working as a pipefitter, and reputedly threw harder than any other non-pitcher in the game. He did everything but pitch and catch, prompting Connie Mack to call him his most valuable player. "Having one Dykes is like having five or six players and only one to feed, clothe, and pay," said Mack in 1929.

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A Philadelphia native, Dykes was bought by the Athletics to take over second base in 1918 when regular Maury Shannon was drafted. Dykes played the season out before he too went into the army. Heavy-chested, heavy-legged, and wide in the rear, he returned in the spring of 1919 overweight and out of shape. He was sent down to play 2B with first baseman Ivy Griffin and shortstop Chick Galloway. In the fall they all joined the A's to stay.

In 1924, Dykes was given a Flint sedan for being named team MVP. He topped the .300 mark five times between '24 and 1930, and played third base in the 1929-31 World Series. In September of 1932, he was sold with Al Simmons and Mule Haas to the White Sox for $100,000. In the first All-Star Game, played at Comiskey Park in 1933, Dykes had two hits.

Dykes replaced Lew Fonseca as White Sox manager in 1934 and stayed until early in 1946. He was a player-manager until 1939. A chirping, joshing, noisy character and an accomplished bench jockey, he kept his calm in arguing with umpires as a player, but as a manager was frequently fined, and sometimes suspended, for letting loose volleys of strong language.

Dykes joined the Athletics as a coach in 1949, and was Mack's choice to manage the club in 1951. After three poor finishes, he took over the Orioles in 1954, their first year in Baltimore after moving from St. Louis. He coached for the Reds, leading them for part of 1958, and managed the Tigers until August of 1960, when he'Sh)''@@was sent to the Indians for Joe Gordon in a rare trade of managers. He also coached the Braves and Kansas City A's. Gene Mauch broke Dykes's record of managing 21 years without winning a pennant. Dykes's highest finish was third place. (NLM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 28, 1921: Jimmy Dykes handles an American League record 17 chances at 2B for the A's, as they beat St. Louis 12–4. » October 2, 1921: At Philadelphia, Walter Johnson coasts to an 11–6 win over the A's and Roy Moore. Johnson gives up a 6th inning solo homer to Jimmy Dykes, his 17th homer of the year. » May 13, 1931: The A's Jimmy Dykes swipes home in the top of the 11th against the White Sox as the A's win, 7–5 over reliever Red Faber. » September 28, 1932: Connie Mack begins dismantling the Athletics by selling Al Simmons, Jimmy Dykes, and Mule Haas to the White Sox for an estimated $100,000. » May 8, 1934: The Chicago White Sox name Jimmie Dykes as their new manager, replacing Lew Fonseca, who later will become the motion picture specialist for the ML. » July 26, 1936: Umpire Bill Summers is forced out the game after he hit in the groin by a pop bottle thrown from an unruly crowd of 50,000 at Comiskey Park. The crowd is upset with a out call at 1B on Ray Radcliff in the 8th of the nitecap. Judge Landis, on hand to watch the game, offers a $5,000 reward over the PA system for the culprit, but only draws more boos. The deluge of pop bottles finally abates when Jimmy Dykes pleads through the field amplifier. The Yanks sweep a pair from the Sox, winning 12–3 and 11–8 in 11 innings. Lou Gehrig hits his 29th with two aboard to start New York's scoring in the opener. DiMaggio and Lazzeri add round trippers to make it easy for Johnny Broaca. Sugar Cain is the losing pitcher. In the nitecap, Gehrig adds another homer, while Zeke Bonura homers and drives home four runs for the Sox. DiMaggio has one hit, a triple. The sweep increases New York's lead to nine 1/2 games. » March 18, 1942: Two black players, Jackie Robinson and Nate Moreland, request a tryout with the Chicago White Sox during spring training at Pasadena. Manager Jimmie Dykes allows them to work out but dismisses the two without an offer. » May 24, 1946: Ted Lyons, 45 years old, gives up the mound to replace Jimmie Dykes as Chicago White Sox skipper. He is 1-4 but has an ERA of 2.32. The last 28 games he pitched, dating back to 1941, were complete. » May 25, 1950: The Athletics make some changes. Connie Mack's son, Earle Mack, who had been assistant manager, assumes the duties of chief scout. Earle, who had hoped to succeed his father as manager, is replaced by Jimmie Dykes. Mickey Cochrane is named general manager. It doesn't help today as the Yanks extend their winning streak to nine games by defeating the A's, 2–0, behind Ed Lopat and Joe Page. » October 18, 1950: Connie Mack retires after an amazing 50 years as the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics. Jimmy Dykes replaces him. Mack maintains his position as president of the club. » November 4, 1953: Eddie Joost succeeds Jimmy Dykes as the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics. » November 11, 1953: Jimmy Dykes, recently released as the manager of the Athletics, succeeds Marty Marion as the manager of the Baltimore Orioles. » August 14, 1958: Manager Birdie Tebbetts of the Reds resigns. Jimmy Dykes takes over as interim manager. » May 3, 1959: Jimmy Dykes replaces Bill Norman as manager of the Tigers, who are 2-15. » August 3, 1960: Frank Lane trades managers with Detroit's GM Bill DeWitt. The Indians Joe Gordon (49-46) is dealt to the Tigers for Jimmy Dykes (44-52). For one game, until the pair can change places, Jo-Jo White pilots the Indians and Billy Hitchcock guides the Tigers.