This Day In Dodgers History: Casey Stengel Hired As Manager

On Feb. 23, 1934, Casey Stengel was hired as the new Brooklyn Dodgers manager to replace beloved Hall of Famer Max Carey.

Like Carey, Stengel previously spent time with the Dodgers franchise as a player. He became a fan favorite from 1912-1917, but enjoyed the bulk of his success with other teams.

That wound up extending to Stengel’s managerial career as well. He remained Dodgers manager for just three seasons and never once had a winning record with Brooklyn.

In his first year as manager, Stengel had a career-high five ejections as the Dodgers went just 71-81 in 1934. They followed that with 70 and 67 wins, respectively, in the two ensuing seasons under Stengel.

After being fired by the Dodgers, Stengel managed the Boston Bees from 1938-1943. He managed just one winning season during that span and proceeded to spend an extended period of time back in the Minor Leagues.

The Dodgers replaced Stengel with Burleigh Grimes, who similarly struggled in just his two seasons as manager.

During his playing career with Brooklyn, Stengel hit .272/.346/.393 with 100 doubles, 50 triples, 29 home runs and 292 RBI over six seasons. He later went on to win a World Series with the New York Giants in 1922.

Stengel was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.

Casey Stengel finds success with Yankees

Nicknamed “The Ol’ Perfessor,” Stengel turned his managerial career around upon being hired by the New York Yankees ahead of the 1949 season.

That started a stretch of Stengel’s Yankees winning five World Series in a row, which they still remain the last team to accomplish such a feat.

In his 12 seasons as Yankees manager, Stengel won 10 American League pennants and seven World Series titles. His managerial career came to an end in 1965 with four seasons as New York Mets skipper.