1948 coaching staff?

[disgrig]

Does anyone know who the coaches were for the Indians during their World Series championship campaign and in what capacity they served? I know Muddy Ruel was a member of the coaching staff but I wasn't sure if he was a hitting coach or pitching coach or miscellaneous bench coach. Since Lou Boudreau was a player/manager did he rely heavily on his coaching staff since he had to split his time between managing the team and playing? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Jennifer]

Does anyone know who the coaches were for the Indians during their World Series championship campaign and in what capacity they served? I know Muddy Ruel was a member of the coaching staff but I wasn't sure if he was a hitting coach or pitching coach or miscellaneous bench coach. Since Lou Boudreau was a player/manager did he rely heavily on his coaching staff since he had to split his time between managing the team and playing? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.I can only tell you who the coaches were and not their responsibilities with one exception.

Bill McKechnie (1947-1949)

Oscar Melillo (1939-1940, 1942, 1945-49, 1950)

George Susce (1941-47, 1948-49 (don't ask me why it isn't 1941-49)

Muddy Ruel (1948-1950)

Mel Harder (1948-1963)

[ACrank]

That seems like a lot of coaches for a team of that era...

Harder, obviously, would have been a pitching coach, and i believe McKechnie was bought in as a bench coach and chief assistant to Boudreau.

No idea about the rest of them.

[EdTarbusz]

That seems like a lot of coaches for a team of that era...

Harder, obviously, would have been a pitching coach, and i believe McKechnie was bought in as a bench coach and chief assistant to Boudreau.

No idea about the rest of them.

Harder was a base coach in 1948, along with McKechnie, I believe. I believe Muddy Ruel was the bullpen coach.

As a condition of keeping Boudreau on as manager, Bill Veeck hired extra coaches (most notably Bill McKechnie) to advise and assist Boudreau.

I belive that Mellilo and Susce did most of their coaching during spring training (Hank Greenberg also suited up durimg spring training as a hitting instructor) and that they were also scouts for the team.

[RuthMayBond]

I can only tell you who the coaches were and not their responsibilities with one exception.

Bill McKechnie (1947-1949)

Oscar Melillo (1939-1940, 1942, 1945-49, 1950)

George Susce (1941-47, 1948-49 (don't ask me why it isn't 1941-49)

Muddy Ruel (1948-1950)

Mel Harder (1948-1963)Great to have ya back, Jennifer!

[VIBaseball]

I think you're right about Susce, Ed. I see an article from March 30, 1948 calling him a "special assistant" to coach catchers. Other men with the same label were Melillo, who tutored infielders -- and Tris Speaker for outfielders.

Susce managed Cleveland's Class D farm club in Batavia, NY in 1948.

[EdTarbusz]

I think you're right about Susce, Ed. I see an article from March 30, 1948 calling him a "special assistant" to coach catchers. Other men with the same label were Melillo, who tutored infielders -- and Tris Speaker for outfielders.

Susce managed Cleveland's Class D farm club in Batavia, NY in 1948.

I had forgotten to add Tris Speaker. I think his main task was to tutor Larry Doby into how to become an outfielder.

Susce was later fired by the Indians when his son signed with the Red Sox.

[philliesfiend55]

It's very unusual that a Hall Of Fame manager, would take a job as a coach even in his latter years, but that's exactly what Bill Mc Kechnie (1886-1965) did. He had a very positive effect on the '48 Indians by all accounts. He must have served primarily as what is today called a "Bench Coach" and his counsel was valuable to the young player-manager, Lou Boudreau.
Mc Kechnie managed 24 of 25 seasons between 1922 and 1946, winning pennants for three teams: the '25 Pirates, the '28 Cardinals, and the '40 Reds. All but his Cardinals team also went on to win the World Series. He was 60 years old when he last managed in 1946. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1962, inducted in the same class as Bob Feller and Jackie Robinson.

[philliesfiend55]

If you're interested int the 1948 Cleveland Indians you might want to check if the following book is still in print or available on e-bay:

"The Boys Of the Summer Of 1948" by Russell Schneider - puiblished in 1998 by Sports Publishing Inc. (Champaign, Illinois).

[disgrig]

I know Bob Feller is still alive but how many of his teammates are still alive from the 1948 championship team?

[philliesfiend55]

I know Bob Feller is still alive but how many of his teammates are still alive from the 1948 championship team?
After a rough, preliminary search I'd say that there are at least three living 1948 Cleveland Indians today.

P Bob Feller : (Born Nov. 3, 1918 - age 90 : age 29 during '48 season).
1B-OF Eddie Robinson: (Born Dec. 15, 1920 - age 88: age 27 in '48 season).
Util. INF Allie Clark: (born June 16, 1923 - age 85, turns 86 in less than six weeks, turned 25 during 1948 season.)

-philliesfiend55-

[RuthMayBond]

I believe Al Rosen is still alive

[disgrig]

Thanks for the responses philliesfiend and ruthmaybond. Can either on of you reply via private message if you know of mailing addresses for Robinson, Rosen or Clark? Thanks.