Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel is remembered for his time with the New York Yankees, leading their dynasty through the late 1940’s and through the 1950’s. However, he began his managerial career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who fired him on this day in 1936.
Casey Stengel was a solid right fielder during his playing days. Possessing a bit of power and some speed, Stengel also had an excellent batting eye, helping him to lead the National League with a .404 on base percentage in 1914. A smart player who had a knack for doing the right thing on the field, he seemed destined to manage at some point in time.
After his Major League playing days were done, Stengel began to ply his trade as a player/manager in the minors. He spent six years in that role, and was then hired as a coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. He remained in that role for two years, before becoming the Dodgers manager in 1934. His time as manager in Brooklyn did not go as planned, as the Dodgers never finished higher than fifth in the National League. As such, on this day in 1936, Stengel was fired after three years at the helm.
Stengel spent another five and a half seasons with the Braves, once again struggling to keep his team in contention. With one winning season, and finishing no higher than fifth yet again, Stengel was let go. However, he was ready for the next opportunity, which came with the New York Yankees.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
In New York, Stengel became the managerial genius that he is remembered as. The Yankees won the World Series in his first season in the Bronx in 1949, en route to winning five consecutive titles. All told, in his 12 years with the Yankees, they made ten World Series appearances, winning seven. Stengel proved that he was that stellar manager that he was expected to be.
That success had to be especially galling for the Dodgers. Not only did they fire him just over a decade before, but they watched him bring title after title to a different borough. To add insult to injury, the Dodgers were frequently Stengel’s victims during the Yankees dynasty.
All told, Stengel defeated the Dodgers in three of his first five World Series titles, and four times overall. Yes, Brooklyn did get some modicum of revenge in 1955, but Stengel and the Yankees came right back to defeat them the following year. And every time, his firing by Brooklyn may have been in the back of his mind while he celebrated.
Next: Don't believe that the Blue Jays and Rangers brawl is behind them
Everyone has to start somewhere, and for Casey Stengel, that place was in Brooklyn. However, his time did not end well, as on this day in 1936, the Dodgers fired him after three mediocre seasons.