An injury suffered in the minors ended Eddie Sawyer’s hopes for a major league playing career. In 1939 he led the Canadian-American League in doubles (53), RBI (103), and batting average (.369). He began managing that year, and succeeded interim manager Dusty Cooke at the Phillies’ helm in July 1948, following Ben Chapman‘s dismissal. In 1950 he led Philadelphia’s Whiz Kids to the pennant, though it was almost blown. With nine days to go in the season, the Phillies had a seven-game lead, but lost eight of their last ten. They didn’t clinch until the final day of the season, when they defeated the Dodgers in 10 innings at Ebbets Field. They then were swept in the World Series by the Yankees. Sawyer was fired in 1952, but was rehired in 1958. After finishing last in both ’58 and 1959, Sawyer quit after losing the first game of the 1960 season.
