Leo Durocher (Baseball Player and Manager)

Profession: Baseball Player and Manager

Biography: A controversial and outspoken character, his career was dogged by clashes with authority, umpires, and the press. His 95 career ejections ranks fourth on the all-time list. He has 2,009 career victories, which ranks tenth. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.

Born: July 27, 1906
Birthplace: West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Leo

Died: October 7, 1991 (aged 85)

Playing Career

• 1925-07-22 NY Yankees buy future Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Leo Durocher from Hartford Senators (Eastern League)
• 1938-08-07 2,000th Brooklyn Dodgers home run: legendary shortstop Leo Durocher homers off Reds hurler Peaches Davis in 8th inning of a 6-3 win
• 1940-09-16 Leo Durocher suspended from Ebbetts Field for "inciting a riot"
• 1945-06-09 Following an 8-7 win over the Phils, Brooklyn manager Leo Durocher is arrested on a complaint by a fan that Durocher slugged him
• 1947-04-09 Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler suspends Brooklyn Dodger Leo Durocher for 1 year for "association with known gamblers"
• 1948-07-16 MLB manager merry-go-round: Philadelphia Phillies - Ben Chapman out / Eddie Sawyer in; NY Giants - Mel Ott out / Leo Durocher in; Brooklyn Dodgers - Durocher out / Burt Shotton in
• 1948-07-26 Leo Durocher returns to Ebbets Field as manager of the New York Giants
• 1958-01-31 "Jackpot Bowling" premieres on NBC with Leo Durocher as host
• 1962-08-24 Los Angeles Dodger coach Leo Durocher suffers a near-fatal allergic reaction to a penicillin injection while in the clubhouse at the Polo Grounds, NYC
• 1971-12-01 Chicago Cubs release longtime star and future Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, ending his 19-year MLB career; announce Banks will serve as a coach on manager Leo Durocher's staff; Banks finishes with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI
• 1972-08-26 Leo Durocher replaces Harry Walker as manager of Houston Astros
• 1973-10-01 Future Baseball Hall of Fame player and manager Leo Durocher ends his 45 year career in the sport when he resigns as Houston Astros manager
• 1988-03-01 For first time since 1956, the Special Veterans Committee does not elect anyone to the Baseball Hall of Fame; Phil Rizzuto, Leo Durocher, Joe Gordon and Gil Hodges passed over
• 1989-02-17 Former baseball player and manager Leo Durocher injured in a car crash

Personal Life

• 1934-09-27 American baseball player and manager Leo Durocher (28) weds American socialite and businesswoman Grace Dozier; divorce in 1943
• 1948-02-16 American baseball player and manager Leo Durocher (41) weds actress Laraine Day (27) in Santa Monica, California; divorce in 1960
• 1960-06-14 Actress Laraine Day (39) divorces manager Leo Durocher (53) due to incompatibility after 12 years of marriage
• 1969-06-19 American baseball manager Leo Durocher (63) weds socialite Lynne Walker Goldblatt (40) at the Ambassador West Hotel in Chicago; divorce in 1980

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