Roger Craig, Padres Pitching Coach and Giants Manager, Dies at Age 93

Former Giants manager Roger Craig dies at age 93 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

Roger Craig, who was a manager for the San Diego Padres before coaching the San Francisco Giants for 8 MLB seasons, passed away Sunday at the age of 93.

A spokesperson for the Giants said the team was informed by a family member that Craig died Sunday in San Diego following a short illness.

Craig started and won Game 5 of the 1955 World Series against the Yankees to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead. He was hit hard in his next two Series (1956 and 1959), then rebounded in the 1964 Fall Classic as he struck out eight in 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Game 4 for the Cardinals.

But for all his team success, Craig also knew well what it was like to languish in last place. He started the first game in franchise history for the expansion Mets in 1962, taking an 11-4 loss in St. Louis. On a laughingstock squad that went a woeful 40-120, he paced New York with 10 wins. He was 15-46 for the Mets from 1962-63, leading the majors in losses both years.

After his playing days were done, Craig became a renowned pitching coach for the San Diego Padres in 1978 and led them to an 84-78 record, a 15-game improvement over the previous season. He was fired as manager of the Padres in 1979 after going 68-93. He also coached for the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers — famously encouraging his charges to “humm, baby" in a low southern drawl.

Craig's first job as a big league manager came with the Padres in 1978. He guided them to a 15-win improvement from the previous year and the first winning record in team history at 84-78. But he was fired after going 68-93 in 1979.

The Giants hired Craig late in the 1985 campaign when the team slumped to its only 100-loss season in franchise history. He turned the Giants into a winning ballclub in 1986 (83-79 record) and later led San Francisco to the 1989 World Series.

"We have lost a legendary member of our Giants family,” Giants president and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “Roger was beloved by players, coaches, front office staff and fans. He was a father figure to many and his optimism and wisdom resulted in some of the most memorable seasons in our history.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Carolyn, his four children, Sherri Paschelke, Roger Craig Jr, Teresa Hanvey and Vikki Dancan, his seven grandchildren, his 14 great grandchildren as well as his extended family and friends.”

With the Giants, Craig logged a 586-566 record as manager of the Orange and Black. Only Bruce Bochy (1,052) and Dusty Baker (840) have posted more wins as manager since the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958.

Craig pitched 12 seasons in the big leagues from 1955 to 1966, including four years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and won three World Series titles. He also managed the San Diego Padres for two seasons in 1978 to 1979.