Dyer, a genteel southerner, was a marginal pitcher for parts of six seasons with the Cardinals, becoming a manager in that organization after pitching just one inning in 1927. He managed nine minor league champions between 1928 and 1942, and was named TSN Minor League Manager of the Year for his leadership at Columbus (American Association) in 1942. Dyer headed the St. Louis farm operation while Billy Southworth took the Cardinals to three straight wartime pennants. When Southworth left to manage the Braves, Dyer replaced him, and won the 1946 pennant and the World Series against the Red Sox. Despite his successful debut, when the team finished second the next three seasons, Dyer’s reputation as a gifted leader and developer of talent was not enough to quiet critics. After a fifth-place finish with a 78-75 record in 1950, Dyer was offered just a one-year contract extension; the Rice alumnus instead chose the business world in booming Houston.
