| FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY |
| » July 13, 1966: Manager Don Heffner (37-46) is fired by the Reds and replaced by coach Dave Bristol.
» June 9, 1969: After President Johnson declares this a national day of mourning in memory of the assassinated Robert Kennedy, the Reds' players threaten to boycott today's doubleheader with the Cardinals. Led by Milt Pappas and Vada Pinson, the team, by a slim majority, votes not to play. A very upset GM Bob Howsam and manager David Bristol call for nine volunteers to play. Pete Rose, Tommy Helms, and Jim Maloney leave the clubhouse and shortly afterwards the rest of the team follows. The Reds take an 8–0 lead after four innings before the Birds lay 10 runs in the 5th to complete the scoring. It's a reverse in the nitecap as the Cards take a 6–1 lead, and the Reds score five in the 5th to tie, and once in the 12th inning to win, 7–6. » October 8, 1969: Dave Bristol is fired as manager of the Reds, and Joe Gordon resigns as manager of the Royals. Charlie Metro replaces Gordon. » November 24, 1969: Dave Bristol is named manager of the Pilots. » July 17, 1970: With the score tied at 5–5 and bases loaded in the 10th inning, and no outs, Brewers manager Dave Bristol inaugurates the "Bristol Shift," bringing OF Tommy Harper in between SS and 3B. Unperturbed, George Scott hits a sac fly to win the game. » May 28, 1972: The Brewers fire manager Dave Bristol, replacing him with Del Crandall. Coach Roy McMillan takes over until Crandall arrives and guides the team to a 4–1 loss to Boston. » May 11, 1977: Braves owner Ted Turner gives manager Dave Bristol a 10-day paid leave and takes over as field manager. After the Braves lose again—for the 17th straight—to the Pirates 2–1, with Phil Niekro going to 0–7, Turner is relieved of his new job by NL president Chub Feeney. A league rule prohibits a manager from owning a financial interest in his club. Turner then makes a public plea claiming harassment, but names 3B coach Vern Benson the manager for the May 12th game. » May 12, 1977: With Vern Benson as manager, the Braves win—finally—beating the Pirates in Pittsburgh, 6–1. Tomorrow, the team will return home and Benson will return to coaching 3B. Dave Bristol will cut short his 10 day leave and once again take the helm. The team will resume their play under Bristol with a shutout loss to the Cardinals. » October 24, 1977: The Brewers fire manager Dave Bristol, replacing him with Bobby Cox. » September 6, 1979: The Giants fire manger Joe Altobelli, promoting coach Dave Bristol in his place. » December 9, 1980: Giants manager Dave Bristol is fired. |