Earl Sidney Weaver was an American professional baseball manager, author, and television broadcaster. After playing in minor league baseball, he retired without playing in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He became a minor league manager and then managed in MLB for 17 years with the Baltimore Orioles (1968–1982; 1985–86).
Weaver’s style of managing was summed up in the quote: “pitching, defence, and the three-run homer.” He did not believe in placing emphasis on “small balls” tactics such as stolen bases, hit-and-run plays, or sacrifice bunts. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
In 1989, Weaver managed the Gold Coast Suns in the new Senior Professional Baseball Association. Less than a week into the season, Weaver was ejected from his first game. He later commented, “These umpires are high school rejects.
The league went for the cheapest umpiring association. There should be no league if this continues.” The Suns failed to make the playoffs in the 1989–90 season and folded after one season.
How Many Years Did Earl Weaver Manage?
He was a manager for 17 years. Weaver managed the Baltimore Orioles for 17 seasons (1968–82; 1985–86), leading them to four American League (AL) titles—three in succession, from 1969 to 1971, and another in 1979—and the World Series championship in 1970.
A second baseman during his playing career, Weaver never played in the major leagues but began managing in the minor leagues at age 25. Beginning in 1957, he managed all of Baltimore’s minor league teams before becoming a coach with the Orioles in 1968.
Weaver replaced Hank Bauer as manager during the 1968 season and reinvigorated the Baltimore organization. His Orioles teams won 100 or more games during five seasons, and he was thrice named AL Manager of the Year (1973, 1977, and 1979).
How Many Games Did Earl Weaver Win?
Weaver’s managerial record is 1,480–1,060 (.583), including 100+ win seasons in 1969 (109), 1970 (108), 1971 (101), 1979 (102), and 1980 (100). Weaver had a record average of 94.3 wins per season.
His career-winning percentage of .583 ranked sixth among managers with at least 1,000 wins at the time of his retirement.
Weaver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996.