Bill McKechnie

Playing career

McKechnie debuted in 1907 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in three games, and returned in 1910 in a larger role. He played as a utility infielder early on and later primarily at third base, spending time with the Pirates, Boston Braves, New York Yankees, Indianapolis Hoosiers/Newark Peppers, New York Giants, and Cincinnati Reds. His best offensive year was 1914 with the Hoosiers, when he batted .304, scored 107 runs, and stole 47 bases. Over 846 games in 11 seasons, he posted a .251 batting average with 319 runs, 8 home runs, 240 RBI, 127 stolen bases, and a .954 fielding percentage.

Managing career

In 1913, after his worst season as a full-time player, Yankees manager Frank Chance recognized McKechnie's baseball acumen and had him sit beside him during games. Two years later, McKechnie served as player-manager of the Newark Peppers in the Federal League, leading them to a 54–45 record. After retiring as a player, he managed in the minors for a year before taking over the Pirates in 1922, replacing George Gibson after a 32–33 start. McKechnie guided Pittsburgh to 53 wins in 90 games and a third-place finish.

After losing three of the first four games, the Pirates held Washington to five runs over the next two games to force a Game 7. In rain and fog at Forbes Field, the Senators led 4–0 in the first inning, but Pittsburgh answered each Washington score. Trailing 7–6 in the eighth, two outs were followed by three hits, a fielder's choice, and a walk; Cuyler hit a two-run double off Johnson for the lead, and Red Oldham saved the title. McKechnie later managed the St. Louis Cardinals in 1928 and again after being rehired in 1929, the Boston Braves from 1930 to 1937, and the Cincinnati Reds from 1938 to 1946.

His teams won four National League pennants (1925, 1928, 1939, 1940) and two World Series (1925, 1940). He remains the only manager to win NL pennants with three teams (Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati). His 1,896 career wins and .524 winning percentage ranked fourth in major league history when he retired in 1946.

Personal life

McKechnie died at age 79 in Bradenton, Florida. The Pirates' spring training home, McKechnie Field in Bradenton, was named after him until it became LECOM Park in 2017. His son Bill Jr. served as farm system director of the Cincinnati Redlegs in the mid-1950s and later as president of the Florida State League and Pacific Coast League. Another son, Jim McKechnie, was a sportscaster for Syracuse radio station WNDR.