SAWYER RESIGNS; MAUCH NAMED NEW PHILS MANAGER
Young Minneapolis Skipper Takes Over as Phillies Make Sudden Dugout Shift
PHILADELPHIA, April 14 — In one of the most abrupt managerial changes in recent Phillies history, Eddie Sawyer resigned Thursday morning, and the club immediately named Gene Mauch, the 34‑year‑old pilot of the Minneapolis Millers, as his successor.
The move, made at Sawyer’s own request, gives the Phillies their fifth manager in less than nine years and brings to Philadelphia one of the most highly regarded young baseball minds in the minor leagues. Mauch, who guided Minneapolis to the Junior World Series in both 1958 and 1959, accepted the offer without hesitation.
“Let’s go — I’m ready,” Mauch told general manager John Quinn, who reached him by phone in Pompano Beach, Fla., where the Millers train.
Sawyer Steps Down After Long Night of Talks
The change came only two days after the Phillies opened the season with a loss in Cincinnati. Sawyer approached Quinn Wednesday afternoon and said he believed he should step aside. Quinn contacted club president Bob Carpenter, who was in New York, and the two men held three lengthy telephone conversations before Sawyer’s resignation was accepted at 3 A.M.
Carpenter, visibly disappointed at Thursday’s press conference, said, “It came as a shock to me. Eddie is a very capable baseball manager and a fine man. I thought it would be unfair to ask him to reconsider.”
Sawyer sat beside Carpenter as the announcement was made.
Mauch the Only Candidate
Quinn said Mauch was the only man considered for the job.
“I’ve known Gene for many years,” Quinn said. “He played for me when I was with the Braves. I’ve always liked his aggressiveness, and I’ve followed his career closely. Baseball men everywhere consider him a fine manager.”
Quinn emphasized that Alvin Dark, the veteran infielder acquired from the Cubs, was not considered. “We would not hire anyone without minor‑league managerial experience,” he said.
A Young Leader With a Strong Résumé
Mauch, a former infielder with the Dodgers, Pirates, Braves, Cubs, Cardinals, and Red Sox, has been widely viewed as a future major‑league manager. He led Minneapolis to a Junior World Series championship in 1958 and came within one inning of repeating last year.
His only regret, he said, was missing spring training with the Phillies.
“I wish I had been here to get to know the players,” Mauch said. “But I know some of them — Simmons, Roberts, Callison, Walters — and I’m ready to go to work.”
Mauch will arrive in Philadelphia Friday and take over immediately.
PHILS WIN HOME OPENER IN 10TH, 5–4
Koppe’s Single Beats Braves Before 32,038; Del Greco, Cardwell Spark Comeback
PHILADELPHIA, April 14 — On a night when the Phillies introduced a new manager and a new sense of uncertainty, the club delivered a stirring reminder that baseball games are still won on the field. Before a roaring crowd of 32,038, the Phils rallied from an early three‑run deficit and defeated the Milwaukee Braves, 5–4, in 10 innings at Connie Mack Stadium.
The hero was Joe Koppe, the shortstop whose two errors in last year’s pennant‑deciding finale helped Milwaukee tie for the flag. Koppe, hitless in five trips and burdened by three strikeouts, lined a single through shortstop Johnny Logan in the 10th to score Bobby Del Greco with the winning run.
Braves Jump Ahead Early
The Braves struck quickly against left‑hander Curt Simmons. After a walk to Logan, Hank Aaron drilled a 3‑2 pitch into the lower deck in left‑center for a two‑run homer. Moments later, Joe Adcock launched a towering drive over the right‑field scoreboard, and Milwaukee led 3–0 before many fans had settled into their seats.
The Phillies scratched out a run in the second on singles by Harry Anderson and Del Greco, but the Braves regained a three‑run margin in the fifth when Aaron tripled home Logan against reliever Don Cardwell.
Phils Fight Back With Power of Their Own
The Phils refused to fold. In the sixth, Anderson singled again, and Del Greco followed with a booming drive into the upper left‑field deck for a two‑run homer. One out later, Cardwell — who would earn the victory — lined a shot into the lower deck to tie the game at 4–4.
Cardwell then settled in, allowing only four singles the rest of the way, three of them infield hits.
Tense Finish in the 10th
After the Braves failed to score in the top of the 10th despite two infield singles, Del Greco opened the bottom half with a walk. He stole second when Jim Coker failed on a bunt attempt, and after Coker flied out, the managerial chess match began.
Acting manager Andy Cohen, filling in for the newly resigned Eddie Sawyer and awaiting Gene Mauch’s arrival, sent Ted Lepcio to pinch‑hit for Cardwell. Milwaukee manager Chuck Dressen countered with right‑hander Bob Giggie, prompting Cohen to summon left‑handed John Callison. Dressen ordered an intentional walk.
That brought up Koppe, who fouled off two pitches before lining the game‑winner past Logan as Del Greco raced home.
A Needed Lift
The victory capped a turbulent day for the Phillies, who earlier had announced Sawyer’s resignation and Mauch’s hiring. But for one night, the crowd saw only the fight on the field — and a club that refused to quit.
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer April 15, 1960 via Newspapers.com