Thursday, 21 November 2024

Bill McKechnie

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Baseball
Statistics: 3 World Series Championships (1925, 1940 & 1946)
1,896-1,723 Record
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
A third baseman throughout the 1910s, Bill McKechnie, had his first managing opportunity in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1922 season, a team that he had previously played for. He served the Pirates well, posting winning records in every season and leading the Pirates to a World Series championship in 1925. Despite this success, ownership, namely, Fred Clarke, undermined McKechnie, resulting in a mutiny by the players and an eventual dismissal of the manager.

McKechnie signed on with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1928, leading them to a pennant that year, but they were swept by the New York Yankees. He resigned after the World Series, but was coerced to return midway through 1929 after his replacement, Billy Southworth, was sacked. He again left after the season's end.

Seeking a new challenge, McKechnie took over the managerial duties of the Boston Braves, a team that was not blessed with talent, though he manages three winning records over seven years there.

Last up was the Cincinnati Reds, a team he managed from 1938 to 1946. The Reds became his third pennant-winning squad, taking it all in the National League in 1939 and 1940, with the latter resulting in a World Series win.

As of this writing, McKechnie is still the only manager who took three separate National League teams to the World Series.

We are proud to nominate Bill McKechnie for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

Back to List