Dallas Green, who as Phillies manager took the team to their first World Series title in 1980, died Wednesday. He was 82.
“The Phillies have lost a great man and wonderful friend,” the Phillies organization posted on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
He died of kidney failure and pneumonia, family member told local news media.
Green managed the Phillies from 1979 to 1981. His Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals in six games in the 1980 World Series— the team’s first of its two World Series titles. It was the first world series played entirely on artificial turf. Green went on to manage the Yankees in 1989, but lasted only one season before being axed by owner George Steinbrenner. Green was hired by the Mets in 1993 and managed the team for three years.
Green worked in the front office for the Phillies before going on to his position as executive vice president and general manager of the Cubs in 1980s, CBS2 reported. As a player, Green was a right-handed spot-starter and reliever and pitched for the Phillies, Mets and the Senators.
He “never mastered his control or his temper,” according to Philly.com. As a pitcher, Green finished his career with a 20-22 record and a 4.26 ERA. “I was a 20-game winner,” he used to joke, Philly.com reported. “It just took me five years to do it.”
We mourn the passing of Dallas Green. The Phillies have lost a great man and wonderful friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/tzPWoGPtB9
— Phillies (@Phillies) March 22, 2017
Dallas Green: husband, father, leader, baseball man. We all need someone to provide us a chance. 35 years ago, he provided me one. #RIP
— Ned Colletti (@realnedcolletti) March 22, 2017
