New York Yankees Managers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Frank Chance

The New York Highlanders changed their name to "Yankees" to begin the 1913 season, and Frank Chance became the first man to lead the Yankees. Chance was nicknamed the "Peerless Leader" because of his managerial skills; he led the Chicago Cubs to World Series titles in 1907 and 1908. Chance managed the Bombers during the 1913 and 1914 seasons, compiling a record of 137-168.
Chance was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Roger Peckinpaugh replaced Chance as Yankees' manager during the 1914 season. Miller Huggins managed the Yankees from 1918 to 1929.

Answer: He never played in the Major Leagues

Joe McCarthy is truly one of the best managers in Yankees' history. During his tenure with New York, his clubs won seven World Series titles. McCarthy won an amazing total of 1460 regular season games with the Yankees. McCarthy never played a single game in the Major leagues, though.

He spent about 15 years in the minor leagues but never made it to 'The Show'. McCarthy managed the Chicago Cubs for five seasons (1926-1930) before he joined the Yankees. He managed the immortal Babe Ruth for three seasons (1932-1934); supposedly, the two men didn't get along very well. McCarthy wore a uniform in the dugout but didn't want to have a number on it.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957.

Answer: Washington Senators

Bucky Harris was the manager of the World Series champion Yankees in 1947. The Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in seven games in that series. Harris compiled a record of 191-118 during his two years (1947-1948) with New York. In 1924, Harris led the Washington Senators to victory over the New York Giants. Player-manager Harris belted two home runs in that series to help the Nats capture the World Series crown.

Answer: Pittsburgh Pirates

Casey Stengel is one of the most famous managers in New York Yankees' history. The "Old Perfessor" won 1149 regular season games during his twelve seasons with the Yankees. In 1950, Stengel's Yanks defeated the Phillies; in 1951, the Bombers beat the Giants; and in 1958, the Yankees defeated the Braves.

However, in 1960, the Pirates topped the Yankees in a seven-game World Series. Bill Mazeroski's Game Seven walk-off home run clinched the series for Pittsburgh. During and after the Series, Yankees' top-level management questioned some of Stengel's strategy against the Pirates, and Stengel was subsuquently relieved of his duties as skipper.

Answer: The Major

Ralph Houk had a tough act to follow when he replaced the venerable Casey Stengel as Yankees manager in 1961. However, "The Major" came through with flying colors, as his Yanks won the World Series in five games. Houk was called "Major" because of his military rank in World War II. Houk served as a major in the U.S. Army, earning a Silver Star for bravery in Europe. Houk managed the Yankees from 1961-1963, and again from 1966-1973.

The 'Major' won a total of 944 regular season games as manager of the Yankees, and also captured two World Series titles with New York in 1961 and 1962.

Answer: Bill Virdon

In 1975, Billy Martin replaced Bill Virdon as manager of the Yankees. Virdon led the Yankees from 1974 to 1975, compiling a record of 142-124. Owner George Steinbrenner felt that a more passionate leader was necessary for his Yankees, so he decided to hire the tempestuous Billy Martin, and a soap opera was born. During the span from 1975-1988, Martin managed the Bombers on five separate occasions.

He won 556 regular season games with New York and captured the 1977 World Series title. Bill Virdon went on to manage the Houston Astros from 1975-1982.

Answer: Gil McDougald

Gil McDougald was a steady infielder for the Yankees from 1951-1960, however, he never managed for the Bombers. McDougald became a college baseball coach after his retirement. Dick Howser was the Yankees' skipper in 1980. Gene Michael had separate managerial stints with the club in 1981 and 1982, and Bucky Dent managed the Yankees from 1989 to 1990.

Answer: William

William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter managed the New York Yankees from 1992 to 1995, compiling a regular season record of 313-268. He also led the Bombers to the 1995 ALDS. His Yankees lost to the Seattle Mariners in an exciting series. Supposedly, Showalter got his nickname because of his penchant for being "buck naked" in the dressing room during his Minor League playing days. Showalter never made it to 'The Show' as a player.

Answer: 4

Joe Torre replaced Buck Showalter as manager of the Yankees to start the 1996 season, and a dynasty was born. During his 12-year tenure in the Bronx, the Yankees won four World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. The native New Yorker was blessed to have such outstanding ballplayers as Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. Torre's firm but compassionate managing style helped his players to perform well under pressure.

Answer: 27

In 2009, Joe Girardi managed the Yankees to their 27th career World Series crown with a victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. Quite fittingly, Girardi wore uniform number 27 as he guided the Bombers to triumph. Girardi became one of the few Yankees ever to win a World Series both as a player and as a manager. Derek Jeter wore number 2, Alex Rodriguez sported the number 13 jersey, and outfielder Johnny Damon wore number 18.