Skip to main content

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73


Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system.

When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin.

By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead decrease to just 3 games in September, the team won 101 games, the franchise's highest win total in its history and won the NL East division title. Being swept out of the playoffs by Cincinatti left Ozark's crew wanting more.

The Phillies bounced back in 1977, cruising to another 101 wins to clinch their first repeat playoff appearance in history. This time around the Phils fell to the Dodgers in the playoffs. Fans became frustrated with Ozark after the "Black Friday" game in the League Championship Series against Los Angeles, when Ozark chose to leave Greg Luzinski in left field instead of replacing him with the superior fielding Jerry Martin, like Ozark had done in late innings for much of the season. Luzinski then misplayed a ball hit by Manny Mota, which sparked a Dodgers game turning 3-run 9th inning rally. The Phillies would lose the series in 4 games.

In 1978, Ozark led the Phillies to another division title, but again the team lost to the Dodgers in 4 games in the League Championship Series.

The following year, in a season plagued by injuries, the Phillies were under .500 on August 31 when the organization fired Ozark and replaced him with Dallas Green.

During his time with the Phillies, Ozark was widely known to make memorable statements. He was once quoted saying that a particular player's "limitations were limitless" and that a particular situation was "beyond my apprehension". Ozark once replied in regards to the Phillies' difficulties with morale that, "Morality is not a factor with this team." In addition, when he was relieved of his duties in 1979, Ozark told the media that, "Even Napolean had his Watergate."

Ozark, who was still pals with Tommy Lasorda, from his time in the Los Angeles organization, returned to the Dodgers to coach. Ozark lasted 3 seasons, until he had a falling-out with Lasorda in 1982.

The Dodgers' archrival San Francisco hired Ozark as a coach on Frank Robinson's staff in 1983. When the Giants were stuck in the basement the following season, Robinson was fired and Ozark was placed as the interim manager for the remainder of the season. The Giants stayed in the basement, going 24-32 the rest of the way. Ozark retired after the 1984 season.

Danny Ozark passed away in May, 2009.

____________________________________________

Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE.

BallHype: hype it up!

Comments

OBC said…
Cool stuff. Sunday school had never been so enjoyable.
Jay Floyd said…
Appreciate that.

Keep checking out the site and tossin' up feedback.

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes