Former major league baseball player and manager, Chuck Tanner, has passed away at age 82.
Originally signed by the Boston Braves in 1946, Tanner broke into the show with the Milwaukee Braves in 1955. In his debut game on April 12th, he became he third pinch hitter ever to homer on the first pitch he sawHis playing career lasted eight season. During that time he also played for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels. His best season was in 1957 when he hit .279 with 9 home runs and 48 RBIs while playing for both the Braves and Cubs.
Tanner was best known as manager. He stated managing in the Angels organization in 1963. In 1970 won the Pacific Coast League pennant with the Hawaiian Islanders. Later that year he got his first big league managing job with the Chicago White Sox. He managed the Sox from 1970 to 1975. He managed the Oakland A's in 1976. In 1977 Tanner made baseball history when he became the second major league manager to become part of a trade between the A's and Pittsburgh Pirates. It was with the Pirates where he reached the top of his career when he won the 1979 World Series Championship. Tanner left the Pirates in 1985 and became manager of the Atlanta Braves from 1986 to 1988.
Below is a look at Tanner's playing days through his baseball cards.
1955 Johnston Cookies
1955 Topps
1956 Topps
1957 Topps
1958 Topps
1959 Topps
1960 Topps
1960 Leaf
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