Marlins Managers : Edwin Rodriguez and Jack McKeon

The Marlins began 2011 with Edwin Rodriguez ath the helm. Edwin played in 11 major league games between 1982 and 1985. That is 11 more games than career minor league catcher Jack McKeon. The 80 year old McKeon took over when Rodriguez resigned on June 19th. Neither manager had a card issued in 2011 so I am starting a new trend: The Topps Heritage Interim Manager Card. 

In 1985 "Ed" Rodriguez was a middle infielder for the Las Vegas Stars where his teammate on the Padres Farm team was catcher Mark Parent. While on the Padres in 1989 Parent was managed by Jack Mckeon. For those of you keeping score at home that's a two-for-one degree of seperation. 

In 1992 Parent was the battery mate of pitcher and future ESPN sportscaster Rick Sutcliffe.

In1984 Sutcliffe won the NL Cy Young award and helped the Cubs to their first post-season since 1945 along with veteran shortstop Larry Bowa.

A young Larry Bowa made his major league debut on the 1970 Phillies. His teammate Tony Taylor had career highs in RBIs and Batting average. 

In 1958 Taylor defended the middle infield with Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks during his first MVP season.

In 1965 Banks and Santo defended the corners for the Cubbies.

From Rodriguez and McKeon to Santo in 6 degrees.

Indians Manager: Manny Acta

The 2011 Indians started the season strong  with an 18-8 record through April with Manny Acta at the helm. It is Acta's second year with the Tribe. He was fired in his 3rd year as the National's manager and has not yet had a winning season as a big league manager.

 

Acta played in the Houston Astros farm system from 1987-1991 never spending a full season above A level. He also managed the Astros A level teams from 1993-2000. While on the 1990 Osceola Astros, he was a teammate of  East Chicago speedster Kenny Lofton.

In 1996 Lofton led the league for the 5th year straight with 75 stolen bases. That doesn't include the 2 he stole in the All Star game or the 5 he swiped in the playoffs. Also playing for the Indians was a Eddie Murray who bashed 22 homers in '96 despite being 40 years old.

Murray aslo hit 22 home runs in 1981 which was enough to lead the league in the strike shortened year. His Baltimore Orioles teammate Rick Dempsey also played into his 40s despite the wear and tear endured as a catcher.

 

In 1972 Dempsey played backstop for pitching great Jim Perry on the Minnesota Twins.

 

Not only was Perry an All Star pitcher but a switch hitter with 5 homers and a .199 batting average. In 1961 he played along with Ty Cline on the Cleveland Indians.

 

 Cline was a career pinch hitter and back-up outfielder, playing for 7 different teams in his 12 MLB years. In 1966 he played with the Cubs and Ron Santo.

From Manny Acta to Ron Santo in 6 degrees.

Giants Manager : Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy is the manager of the defending champions, the San francisco Giants. This is his 5th season in San Francisco. The Giants signed him in 2007 following 12 seasons as the skipper of the Padres. 

Bochy spent most of his playing career as a back up catcher for the Mets, Padres and Astros. In 1979 he was teamed up with Jesus Alou on the Houston Astros.

In 1964 Jesus was on the San Francisco Giants along with his brother Matty Alou. 

In 1961 Matty played with another Alou in San Francisco, his other brother Felipe.

In 1965 Felipe played for the Milwaukee Braves along with knuckleballer, Phil Niekro.

Phil shared the mound in Atlanta with his brother Joe Niekro in 1974.

Joe Niekro played for the 1969 Cubs along with Ron Santo.

From Bruce Bochy to Ron Santo in 6 Degrees and 5 brothers.

Dodgers Manager : Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly worked on Joe Torre's coaching staff on the Yankees from 2003-2007. After being passed over when Torre left, he went to L.A. and was Torre's bench coach on the Dodgers. When Torre retired last year the manager job was given to Mattingly.

Mattingly was the A.L. MVP in 1985 while on the New York Yankees. He was teamed with Don Baylor.

Don Baylor was the A.L. MVP in 1979 while on the California Angels where he played with Hall of Famer Rod Carew.

Rod Carew was also an A.L. MVP in 1977 and Rookie of the Year in 1967 on the Minnesota Twins. His teammate there was Dean Chance.

Chance was the AL Cy Young award winner in 1964 on the Los Angeles Angles. Albie Pearson was his teammate.

Pearson was the Rookie of the Year in 1958 with the Senators and in 1960 he played with Milt Pappas on the Baltimore Orioles.

In 1972 Pappas pitched a near-perfect game. He retired the first 26 San Diego Padres and had a 1-2 count on Larry Stahl. Umpire Bruce Froeming called the next 3 pitches balls. Although Pappas has never forgiven Froeming, he got the next batter to pop out. Ant the first player on the mound to congratulate him was Ron Santo.

From Mattingly to Santo in 6 degrees.