Alvin Dark, a Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star shortstop who managed the Giants and A's to the World Series, died Thursday. He was 92.
Dark played 14 seasons in the Majors, suiting up for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants, Cardinals, Cubs and Phillies, establishing himself as one of the best all-around shortstops in his era. He batted .289/.333/.411 in a career that spanned from 1946-60, compiling 126 homers, 2,089 hits and 59 stolen bases.
He later was manager of the Giants, leading them to the 1962 World Series, which they lost to the Yankees in seven games, and also the A's, taking them to the World Series championship in 1974, the last of their three consecutive titles.
"We are saddened to learn of Alvin's passing," the A's said in a statement. "He was a true baseball man who will always hold a prominent place in our history, both in Kansas City and Oakland. A's fans will never forget the 1974 team he managed to a third consecutive World Series title. Our condolences go out to his family and friends."
A product of Louisiana, Dark was Major League Rookie of the Year in 1948, was captain of the Giants throughout the 1950s and played in three World Series, winning one with the Giants while batting .412 in the 1954 Fall Classic.
Dark did so much more than play baseball, though.
He was a star football player at Louisiana State and Southwest Louisiana State, good enough to be drafted by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles before ultimately choosing baseball. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in China during the Chinese Civil War in 1945. He managed for 13 seasons between 1961 and '77.
Dark became the first to manage an All-Star Game in both leagues, managing for the NL in 1963 and the American League in 1975. Before his death, Dark was the oldest living manager of a World Series team.
Dark compiled 994 wins and a .526 winning percentage as manager, with the San Francisco Giants (1961-64), Kansas City A's (1966-67), Cleveland Indians (1968-71), Oakland A's (1974-75) and San Diego Padres (1977).
"The news today of the passing of Alvin Dark brings great sadness to our organization," Giants president and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. "Alvin was a true Giant and was a part of our rich history in the 1950's and 1960's. We express our deepest condolences to his family and will have them in our thoughts and prayers."
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