Books and articles about Bill Virdon

Virdon was a graceful centerfielder for a dozen major leagues seasons and a manager who stressed defense and fundamentals for 13 more. The slender, bespectacled, lefthanded hitter was first signed by the Yankees. But it was as a Cardinal that he was named 1955 Rookie of the Year, hitting .281 with career highs of 17 home runs and 68 RBI. With the Pirates in 1962, he won a Gold Glove.

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When Virdon got off to a slow start in 1956, St. Louis GM Frank "Trader" Lane sent him to the Pirates on May 17 for Bobby Del Greco and Dick Littlefield. Virdon rebounded to bat a career-high .319 and remained a fixture in center for the Pirates through 1965. In the 1960 World Series, Virdon had a key role in three of the four Pirates' victories. He made two crucial, dazzling catches on balls hit by Yogi Berra in the opener and Bob Cerv in Game Four, and he hit the grounder in Game Seven that struck Yankee shortstop Tony Kubek in the throat and sparked Pittsburgh's comeback victory.

Virdon coached in Pittsburgh under Danny Murtaugh before replacing the popular manger in 1972. He led the Pirates to a division championship that year but lost to Cincinnati in the final inning of the LCS Game Five. He lost his job late in 1973 after run-ins with players Dock Ellis and Richie Hebner. George Steinbrenner's second choice for Yankee manager in 1974 (Dick Williams was unable to take the job), Virdon brought the club in second, winning TSN Manager of the Year honors. Nevertheless, he was replaced by Billy Martin on August 1, 1975. Two weeks later Houston hired him.

In six full seasons with the Astros, Virdon only once finished lower than third. He guided the team to postseason play in 1980, when we was again named TSN Manager of the Year. Again he came within an inning of the World Series, losing the LCS to Cincinnati in the tenth inning of Game Five. In strike-shortened 1981, Houston won the first half of the split schedule but lost to Los Angeles in the divisional playoff. When he was fired in August 1982, he was the Houston franchise's winningest manager (544-522). Virdon was not out of a job for long. He was hired by Montreal that October and lasted through late 1984. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 11, 1954: To make room for promising rookie OF Wally Moon, the Cardinals trade long-time great Enos Slaughter to the Yankees. In what turns out to be a good deal for both teams, the Cardinals get CF Bill Virdon, P Mel Wright, and OF Emil Tellinger in return. Virdon will become the National League Rookie of the Year in 1955, following Moon, and Slaughter will help the Yankees to win 103 games. » May 17, 1956: Pittsburgh continues swapping by sending OF Bobby Del Greco and P Dick Littlefield to St. Louis for OF Bill Virdon. Virdon, the 1955 Rookie of the Year, was hitting just .211 for the Cards when GM Frank Lane unloads him. Virdon will hit .334 the rest of the year for Pittsburgh. » August 10, 1958: In the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Reds, Pirates CF Bill Virdon records two assists in the seventh, tying a major-league mark. The Reds win 4-3. » September 5, 1958: At Pittsburgh, Bill Virdon hits a 10th inning home run to break up a brilliant pitching duel between the Braves' Carlton Willey and George Witt. The Pirates win, 1–0. » October 9, 1960: Vern Law wins again, thanks to his own RBI single and Bill Virdon's 2-run hit. Roy Face retires the final eight batters in order. Pittsburgh's 3–2 win evens the World Series. » April 11, 1961: The wine of victory turns sour for the Giants in their home opener when Bill Virdon clouts a 2-out 3-run home run off reliever Mike McCormick to give the Pirates an 8–7 win. » September 26, 1962: Pittsburgh's Earl Francis (9-8) gives up two hits in 10 innings in beating the Reds, 1–0. Jim Maloney matches him for nine innings. Bob Friend pitches the 11th to earn his 1st save of the year after Mazeroski and Stargell double home the winning run. Bucs vet Bill Virdon steals his 5th base to go along with his 13 caught steals, tying him for National League high with Maury Wills. » September 28, 1962: The Giants are rained out and the Dodgers are reined in by the Cardinals 3–2. Larry Jackson gives up 12 hits but pitches a complete game win. The loss shrinks the Dodgers lead to one 1/2 games. Maury Wills' swipes second in the 3rd for his major-league record 104th of the year. He also ties for the National League lead with Bill Virdon for times caught stealing (13). » November 23, 1971: Danny Murtaugh, manager of the World Champion Pirates, announces his retirement for health reasons. Bill Virdon is named to replace him. » September 6, 1973: The Pirates fire manager Bill Virdon. Danny Murtaugh takes over the club for the 4th and final time. » January 3, 1974: Unable to pry Dick Williams away from Charlie Finley, the Yankees sign Bill Virdon as manager. » July 27, 1975: In the first of a twinbill at Shea Stadium, Red Sox CF Fred Lynn makes a great running catch to save the game for pitcher Bill Lee. Lee wins, 1–0, and then Roger Moret completes the whitewash with a 6–0 nitecap win. The losses seem to finish the Yanks pennant hopes and Bill Virdon's managing job. » August 2, 1975: Billy Martin becomes the new Yankee manager, replacing Bill Virdon, named by TSN as last year's Manager of the Year. He won't be out of a job for long. » August 19, 1975: The Astros hire Bill Virdon to replace Preston Gomez as manager. » August 10, 1982: Bob Lillis replaces Bill Virdon as manager of the Houston Astros. Virdon was the senior manager in the National League, having managed the Astros since 1975. » August 30, 1984: Bill Virdon is fired as manager of the Expos and will be replaced by Jim Fanning.