Sal Bando
Captain of the Swingin' A's dynasty and later Brewers GM
Salvatore Leonard Bando (February 13, 1944 – January 20, 2023) was an American professional baseball player and general manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman from 1966 to 1981, most prominently as the captain of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won three consecutive World Series championships between 1972 and 1974. A four-time All-Star player, Bando averaged 23 home runs and 90 runs batted in over an eight-year span. He ended his playing career with the Milwaukee Brewers. After his playing career, Bando served as a special assistant with the Brewers before serving as the team's General Manager from October 1991 until August 1999.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Third baseman
- Bats
- Right
- Born
- 13 February 1944
- Birthplace
- Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
- Died
- 20 January 2023
- Place of death
- Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
- Debut league
- MLB
- Debut date
- September 3
Facts from the source article.
Background
Bando attended Warrensville Heights High School, where he played baseball, football, basketball, and ran track. He attended Arizona State University, where he played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils under coach Bobby Winkles. He was a member of the 1965 College World Series champions and was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player. The Kansas City Athletics selected Bando in the sixth round of the 1965 MLB draft.
He made his MLB debut for the Athletics in 1966. Manager Hank Bauer named Bando team captain on May 30, 1969. Bando remains the only player to officially serve as captain of the A's in the franchise's long history. During the 'Swingin' A's' era of 1971 to 1975, Bando was named to three consecutive All-Star Games (1972–1974) and he was runner-up for the 1971 AL MVP Award.
In 1973, he led the American League with 64 extra-base hits, 32 doubles, and 295 total bases. After years of combative relations with team owner Charlie Finley, Bando signed a five-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Milwaukee Brewers after the 1976 season, spending his last five seasons with the club. During spring training in 1981, he announced that it would be his last season. Bando batted 5-for-17 (.294) with three doubles in the 1981 American League Division Series, Milwaukee's first MLB postseason appearance.
Bando retired after the 1981 season. In a 16-season career, Bando had a .254 batting average with 242 home runs and 1,039 RBIs in 2,019 games played. After retiring, Bando became a special assistant to Milwaukee's general manager, Harry Dalton, focusing on scouting and coaching during spring training. He served in the part-time position until 1991.
He served as a color analyst for NBC, teaming with Bob Costas in 1982. Bando was named the Brewers' general manager on October 8, 1991, succeeding Dalton. That month, he fired manager Tom Trebelhorn and hired Phil Garner. Bando and Garner had only one winning team, the 1992 Brewers.
After the 1992 season, the club did not negotiate with free agent Paul Molitor or offer him salary arbitration until close to the deadline. Bando held his position as GM until August 12, 1999, resigning the position after Garner was fired. Bando was replaced by Dean Taylor. Bando was CEO of The Middleton Doll Company.
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