Books and articles about Frank Lucchesi

A light-hitting minor league outfielder, Lucchesi first became a manager in the low minors at age twenty-three. After 19 years, he received his first ML assignment with the Phillies in 1970. He later managed the Rangers from mid-1975 until mid-1977 and ten years later finished the 1987 season as interim manager of the Cubs. With the Rangers in spring training in 1977, he was physically attacked on the field by Texas second baseman Lenny Randle, who was outraged at being benched. Lucchesi suffered a black eye, fractured cheekbone, and other injuries. He had Randle arrested a month later after turning down a settlement (Randle was also fined by the team for Lucchesi's medical expenses). The bad publicity led to Lucchesi's June firing. Randle was later found guilty of assault, and Lucchesi sued him for $200,000, saying that the incident cost him his job. It was finally settled two years later. (BC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 10, 1972: Phillies GM Paul Owens takes over as field manager after firing Frank Lucchesi. » March 28, 1977: The Rangers Lenny Randle, angry for having been benched during spring training, attacks 50-year-old manager Frank Lucchesi, sending him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone. Lucchesi helped precipitate the incident by calling the good-natured Randle "a punk." Randle's days are numbered. » June 22, 1977: It's not a good year for Texas manager Frank Lucchesi, as Eddie Stanky takes over, leading the club to a 10–8 triumph over the Twins. The next day, the "homesick" Stanky will resign. » September 8, 1987: With the Cubs in 5th place in the National League East (68-68, 13 games behind), the club fires manager Gene Michael and replaces him with Frank Lucchesi.