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.

Angels Manager : Mike Scioscia

Mike Scioscia spent all of his managerial career (so far) with the Angels and his entire playing career with the Dodgers.

In 1990 he was the NL All Star starting catcher. His LA Dodger teammate was Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.

In 1980 Murray was playing 1st base for the Baltimore Orioles along with Cy Young winner Steve Stone.

Steve Stone is linked to Ron Santo in many ways, but he never was a teammate of Santo's. For many years Stone called the Cub games on TV while Santo moaned and groaned over the radio. Prior to the 1974 season Santo was traded to the White sox for Stone and 3 other player. In his first year with the northsiders, Santo's replacement was Bill Madlock.

In 1981 Madlock played for the Pittsburgh Pirates along with pitcher Grant Jackson.

In 1968 Jackson was teamed up with another hard hitting 3rd baseman, Dick Allen on the Philadelphia Philles.

Dick allen eventually moved to 1st base and the south side where he played with Ron Santo during his only season on the White Sox.

Mike Scioscia to Ron Santo in 6 degrees.