DUROCHER, LEO

born July 27, 1905, West Springfield, Mass., U.S.

died Oct. 7, 1991, Palm Springs, Calif.

U.S. baseball player and manager.

Durocher played for various teams from 1928 to 1938, distinguishing himself by his sharp fielding at shortstop. He gained notoriety as the cheeky, contentious manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers (1939–46, 1948); he was suspended from managing for the entire 1947 season for "conduct detrimental to baseball," a vague charge that was based upon Durocher's reputation for gambling and fast living. He managed the New York Giants 1948–55, left to become a commentator, returned to the game as a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1961–64), and managed the Chicago Cubs (1966–72) and the Houston Astros (1972–73). He is credited with the observation "Nice guys finish last" (what he actually said was, "The nice guys over there are in seventh place").