The genial Bamberger recorded 213 victories in 18 years as a minor league pitcher but won more recognition as an ML pitching coach and manager. He was the Orioles pitching coach for a decade beginning in 1967. During that time, Baltimore had such standouts as Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cueller, and Pat Dobson, all of whom won 20 games in 1971.
Offered the Milwaukee helm in 1978, Bamberger led the Brewers to a third-place finish and was named TSN and UPI Manager of the Year. In the spring of 1980, he underwent coronary bypass surgery but returned to manage from June 6 until his retirement in September. He was given a lifetime job in Milwaukee’s front office but was lured away by the Mets. He managed New York from 1982 until he resigned voluntarily in June 1983, citing health reasons. In 1985 and ’86 he managed the Brewers to sixth-place finishes.
