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Johnny McNamara

Major League Baseball

High School:  Christian Brothers
College:  Sacramento City

* MLB Managing Career:  19 Years (Oakland, San Diego, Cincinnati, California,

    Cleveland, Boston)

* American League Manager of the Year (1986)

* California State Champion (1951)
* SCC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

Johnny attended Christian Brothers High School and then Sacramento City College where he led the team to the 1951 California State Championship.  He was later inducted into the SCC Athletic Hall of Fame.  He originally signed with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization, but eventually ended up with his hometown Sacramento Solons.

After his 15 year playing career, Johnny began his long standing managerial career.  He started in the minor leagues with the Lewis-Clark Broncs, which later became an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics.  A few years later he won two Southern League pennants and was responsible for grooming many of the future Oakland A's greats such as: Rollie Fingers, Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, John "Blue Moon" Odom and Joe Rudi.


Over his 19 seasons, he had a managing record of 1,167-1,242 and is number 48 on the all time list of managers by wins.  He led two of his squads into post season play.  In 1979, his Cincinnati Reds lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NLCS.  In 1986, Johnny once again led his team into post season play, and was named Manager of the Year.

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