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{{short description|American baseball player and manager}}
{{Short description|American baseball player and manager (1931–2021)}}
{{good article}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Bill Virdon
|name=Bill Virdon
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|throws=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date|1931|6|9}}
|birth_date={{Birth date|1931|6|9}}
|birth_place=[[Hazel Park, Michigan]]
|birth_place=[[Hazel Park, Michigan]], U.S.
|death_date={{Death date and age|2021|11|23|1931|6|9}}
|death_date={{Death date and age|2021|11|23|1931|6|9}}
|death_place=[[Springfield, Missouri]]
|death_place=[[Springfield, Missouri]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 12
|debutdate=April 12
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|teams=
|teams=
'''As player'''
'''As player'''
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{Baseball year|1955}}–{{Baseball year|1956}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1955}}–{{mlby|1956}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{Baseball year|1956}}–{{Baseball year|1965}}, {{Baseball year|1968}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{mlby|1956}}–{{mlby|1965}}, {{mlby|1968}})
'''As manager'''
'''As manager'''
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{Baseball year|1972}}–{{Baseball year|1973}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{mlby|1972}}–{{mlby|1973}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{Baseball year|1974}}–{{Baseball year|1975}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1974}}–{{mlby|1975}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{Baseball year|1975}}–{{Baseball year|1982}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|1975}}–{{mlby|1982}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{Baseball year|1983}}–{{Baseball year|1984}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1983}}–{{mlby|1984}})
|highlights=
|highlights=
* 2× [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|1960}}, {{wsy|1971}})
* 2× [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|1960}}, {{wsy|1971}})
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* [[Gold Glove Award]] (1962)
* [[Gold Glove Award]] (1962)
}}
}}

'''William Charles Virdon''' (June 9, 1931 – November 23, 2021) was an American [[professional baseball]] [[outfielder]], [[manager (baseball)|manager]], and [[coach (baseball)|coach]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). Virdon played in MLB for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] from 1955 through 1965 and in 1968. He served as a coach for the Pirates and [[Houston Astros]], and managed the Pirates, Astros, [[New York Yankees]], and [[Montreal Expos]].
'''William Charles Virdon''' (June 9, 1931 – November 23, 2021) was an American [[professional baseball]] [[outfielder]], [[manager (baseball)|manager]], and [[coach (baseball)|coach]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). Virdon played in MLB for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] from 1955 through 1965 and in 1968. He served as a coach for the Pirates and [[Houston Astros]], and managed the Pirates, Astros, [[New York Yankees]], and [[Montreal Expos]].


After playing in [[Minor League Baseball|the minors]] for the Yankees organization, Virdon was traded to the Cardinals, and he made his MLB debut in 1955. That year, Virdon won the [[National League]] [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]]. He slumped at the beginning of the 1956 season, and was traded to the Pirates, where he spent the remainder of his playing career. A premier defensive outfielder during his playing days as a [[center fielder]] for the Cardinals and Pirates, Virdon led a strong defensive team to the [[1960 World Series]] championship. In 1962, Virdon won a [[Gold Glove Award]]. Following the 1965 season, he retired due to his desire to become a manager.
After playing in [[Minor League Baseball|the minors]] for the Yankees organization, Virdon was traded to the Cardinals, and he made his MLB debut in 1955. That year, Virdon won the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]]. He slumped at the beginning of the 1956 season, and was traded to the Pirates, where he spent the remainder of his playing career. A premier defensive outfielder during his playing days as a [[center fielder]] for the Cardinals and Pirates, Virdon led a strong defensive team to the [[1960 World Series]] championship. In 1962, Virdon won a [[Gold Glove Award]]. Following the 1965 season, he retired due to his desire to become a manager.


Virdon managed in in the [[Minor League Baseball|minor leagues]] until returning to the Pirates as a coach in 1968. He served as manager of the Pirates in 1972 and 1973, before becoming the manager of the Yankees in 1974. During the 1975 season, the Yankees fired Virdon, and he was hired by the Astros. After being fired by the Astros after the 1982 season, Virdon managed the Expos in 1983 and 1984. Virdon won ''[[The Sporting News]]''{{'}} [[Sporting News Manager of the Year Award|Manager of the Year Award]] in 1974, his only full season working for the Yankees, and in 1980, while managing the Astros. He returned to the Pirates as a coach following his managerial career, and remained with the Pirates as a guest instructor during [[spring training]].
Virdon managed in the [[Minor League Baseball|minor leagues]] until returning to the Pirates as a coach in 1968. He served as manager of the Pirates in 1972 and 1973, before becoming the manager of the Yankees in 1974. During the 1975 season, the Yankees fired Virdon, and he was hired by the Astros. After being fired by the Astros after the 1982 season, Virdon managed the Expos in 1983 and 1984. Virdon won ''[[The Sporting News]]''{{'}} [[Sporting News Manager of the Year Award|Manager of the Year Award]] in 1974, his only full season working for the Yankees, and in 1980, while managing the Astros. He returned to the Pirates as a coach following his managerial career, and remained with the Pirates as a guest instructor during [[spring training]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
William Charles Virdon was born in [[Hazel Park, Michigan]], on June 9, 1931. His parents, Bertha and Charles Virdon, were originally from [[Missouri]], but moved to Hazel Park during the [[Great Depression]], where they were able to find jobs in automotive factories. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to [[West Plains, Missouri]].<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/0a3985c3|title=Bill Virdon|first=Gregory H.|last=Wolf|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
William Charles Virdon was born in [[Hazel Park, Michigan]], on June 9, 1931. His parents, Bertha and Charles Virdon, were originally from [[Missouri]], but moved to Hazel Park during the [[Great Depression]], where they were able to find jobs in automotive factories. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to [[West Plains, Missouri]].<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bill-virdon/|title=Bill Virdon|first=Gregory H.|last=Wolf|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


Virdon attended [[West Plains High School]]. He competed in [[American football]], [[basketball]], and [[track and field]] for the school. As West Plains did not compete in [[baseball]], Virdon traveled to [[Clay Center, Kansas]], to play for their [[American Amateur Baseball Congress]] team as a [[center fielder]] and [[shortstop]].<ref name=sabr/><ref name=independence>{{cite web|url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/virdon-selected-for-independence-baseball-shrine/article_b5fba4fa-3a75-5ce8-b5b3-aa7204cab6e3.html|title=Virdon selected for Independence baseball shrine|first=Anvil|last=Welch|work=Joplin Globe|date=July 14, 2013|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> He enrolled at [[Drury University]] in [[Springfield, Missouri]].<ref name=sabr/>
Virdon attended [[West Plains High School]]. He competed in [[American football]], [[basketball]], and [[track and field]] for the school. As West Plains did not compete in [[baseball]], Virdon traveled to [[Clay Center, Kansas]], to play for their [[American Amateur Baseball Congress]] team as a [[center fielder]] and [[shortstop]].<ref name=sabr/><ref name=independence>{{cite web|url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/virdon-selected-for-independence-baseball-shrine/article_b5fba4fa-3a75-5ce8-b5b3-aa7204cab6e3.html|title=Virdon selected for Independence baseball shrine|first=Anvil|last=Welch|work=Joplin Globe|date=July 14, 2013|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> He enrolled at [[Drury University]] in [[Springfield, Missouri]].<ref name=sabr/>


==Professional career==
==Playing career==

===Playing career===


====Minor league career====
===Minor league career===
Virdon attended an open tryout held by the [[New York Yankees]] in [[Branson, Missouri]], and [[scout (sport)|scout]] [[Tom Greenwade]] signed Virdon to the Yankees for a $1,800 [[signing bonus]] (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1800|1950}}}} in current dollar terms). Virdon made his professional debut in 1950 with the [[Independence Yankees]] in the [[Class D (baseball)|Class D]] [[Kansas–Oklahoma–Missouri League]], and was promoted to the [[Kansas City Blues (American Association)|Kansas City Blues]] in the [[Class AAA]] [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] for the final 14 games of the season.<ref name=sabr/> Virdon played for the [[Norfolk Tars]] in the [[Class B (baseball)|Class B]] [[Piedmont League]] in 1951, and for the [[Binghamton Triplets]] in the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] in 1952. The Yankees assigned him to Kansas City in 1953, but he struggled, [[batting average (baseball)|batting]] .233.<ref name=sabr/> While he played in Kansas City, Virdon was diagnosed with [[astigmatism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4936745/bill_virdon_april_3_1955/|title=If Astigmatism and Cracked Knee Didn't Stop Virdon, What Can?|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|first=Bob|last=Broeg|page=26|date=April 3, 1955|access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> When Kansas City manager [[Harry Craft]] noticed Virdon reading while wearing [[glasses]], Craft told him to wear them while he played.<ref name=goodbet>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19550610&id=xuYhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1433,1897765&hl=en|title=Cards' Virdon Good Bet For Rookie Of Year|agency=United Press International|date=June 10, 1955|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref>
Virdon attended an open tryout held by the [[New York Yankees]] in [[Branson, Missouri]], and [[scout (sport)|scout]] [[Tom Greenwade]] signed Virdon to the Yankees for a $1,800 [[signing bonus]] (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1800|1950}}}} in current dollar terms). Virdon made his professional debut in 1950 with the [[Independence Yankees]] in the [[Class D (baseball)|Class D]] [[Kansas–Oklahoma–Missouri League]], and was promoted to the [[Kansas City Blues (American Association)|Kansas City Blues]] in the [[Class AAA]] [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] for the final 14 games of the season.<ref name=sabr/> Virdon played for the [[Norfolk Tars]] in the [[Class B (baseball)|Class B]] [[Piedmont League]] in 1951, and for the [[Binghamton Triplets]] in the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]] in 1952. The Yankees assigned him to Kansas City in 1953, but he struggled, [[batting average (baseball)|batting]] .233.<ref name=sabr/> While he played in Kansas City, Virdon was diagnosed with [[astigmatism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4936745/bill_virdon_april_3_1955/|title=If Astigmatism and Cracked Knee Didn't Stop Virdon, What Can?|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|first=Bob|last=Broeg|page=26|date=April 3, 1955|access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> When Kansas City manager [[Harry Craft]] noticed Virdon reading while wearing [[glasses]], Craft told him to wear them while he played.<ref name=goodbet>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19550610&id=xuYhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1433,1897765&hl=en|title=Cards' Virdon Good Bet For Rookie Of Year|agency=United Press International|date=June 10, 1955|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref>


The Yankees demoted Virdon to the [[Birmingham Barons]] in the [[Class AA]] [[Southern Association]]. In 42 games for Birmingham, Virdon had a .317 batting average.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=glassesstanky>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19551203&id=uXANAAAAIBAJ&pg=4694,3706399&hl=en|title=Bill Virdom Top Rookie|agency=Associated Press|date=December 3, 1955|work=Ellensburg Daily Record|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> According to [[Hal Smith (infielder)|Hal Smith]], his roommate with Birmingham, Virdon changed his approach to hitting, prioritizing [[line drive]]s to all parts of the field, rather than trying to hit for [[power hitting|power]].<ref name=sabr/>
The Yankees demoted Virdon to the [[Birmingham Barons]] in the [[Class AA]] [[Southern Association]]. In 42 games for Birmingham, Virdon had a .317 batting average.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=glassesstanky>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19551203&id=uXANAAAAIBAJ&pg=4694,3706399&hl=en|title=Bill Virdom Top Rookie|agency=Associated Press|date=December 3, 1955|work=Ellensburg Daily Record|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> According to [[Hal Smith (infielder)|Hal Smith]], his roommate with Birmingham, Virdon changed his approach to hitting, prioritizing [[line drive]]s to all parts of the field, rather than trying to hit for [[power hitting|power]].<ref name=sabr/>


Virdon remained stuck behind [[Mickey Mantle]] on the Yankees' depth chart for [[center fielder|center field]], while [[Gene Woodling]] and [[Hank Bauer]] played the [[corner outfield]] positions. The Yankees traded Virdon to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] before the 1954 season with [[Mel Wright]] and Emil Tellinger for veteran outfielder and [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] [[Enos Slaughter]]. Virdon struggled during spring training, and Cardinals manager [[Eddie Stanky]] worked with Virdon to improve his hitting.<ref name=glassesstanky/> The Cardinals assigned Virdon to the [[Rochester Red Wings]] of the Class AAA [[International League]] for the season. He led the league with a .333 batting average and hit 22 home runs, finishing second in voting for the [[International League Most Valuable Player Award]] to [[Elston Howard]].<ref name=sabr/>
Virdon remained stuck behind [[Mickey Mantle]] on the Yankees' depth chart for [[center fielder|center field]], while [[Gene Woodling]] and [[Hank Bauer]] played the [[corner outfield]] positions. The Yankees traded Virdon to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] before the 1954 season with [[Mel Wright]] and Emil Tellinger for veteran outfielder and [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] [[Enos Slaughter]]. Virdon struggled during spring training, and Cardinals manager [[Eddie Stanky]] worked with Virdon to improve his hitting.<ref name=glassesstanky/> The Cardinals assigned Virdon to the [[Rochester Red Wings]] of the Class AAA [[International League]] for the season. He led the league with a .333 batting average and hit 22 home runs, finishing second in voting for the [[International League Most Valuable Player Award]] to catcher [[Elston Howard]] with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] Baseball Club.<ref name=sabr/>


====Major league career====
===Major league career===
Virdon joined the Cardinals in 1955, as the Cardinals moved [[Stan Musial]] to [[first base]] to allow Virdon to play the outfield.<ref name=sabr/> As a [[rookie]], Virdon had a .281 average with 17 home runs and 69 [[runs batted in]] (RBIs).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=19551122&id=vLAfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2750,3906900|title=Bill Virdon Signs For 1956 Season With Cardinals|agency=Associated Press|date=November 22, 1955|work=The Southeast Missourian|page=8|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> He was named the winner of the [[National League]] (NL) [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]], voted on by the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]], beating [[Jack Meyer]] of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref name=sabr/><ref name=glassesstanky/>
Virdon joined the Cardinals in 1955, as the Cardinals moved [[Stan Musial]] to [[first base]] to allow Virdon to play the outfield.<ref name=sabr/> As a [[rookie]], Virdon had a .281 average with 17 home runs and 69 [[runs batted in]] (RBIs).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=19551122&id=vLAfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2750,3906900|title=Bill Virdon Signs For 1956 Season With Cardinals|agency=Associated Press|date=November 22, 1955|work=The Southeast Missourian|page=8|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> He was named the winner of the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]], voted on by the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]], beating [[Jack Meyer]] of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref name=sabr/><ref name=glassesstanky/>


After the 1955 season, the Cardinals hired [[Frank Lane]], nicknamed "The Trader", as their [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]]. Virdon slumped to begin the 1956 season, and the Cardinals traded him to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in May 1956 for [[Bobby Del Greco]] and [[Dick Littlefield]].<ref name=sabr/> Lane claimed that Virdon's late season slump in 1955 was because he tired down the stretch, and that is why he chose to trade him.<ref name=aaron>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19560920&id=5v8jAAAAIBAJ&pg=4924,5941056&hl=en|title=Bill Virdon of Pirates Now Looms as Batter Aaron Must Beat Out|first=Cleon|last=Walfoort|date=September 20, 1956|page=17|work=The Milwaukee Journal|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Lane later referred to the trade as "the worst trade [he] ever made".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19740923&id=Qn4cAAAAIBAJ&pg=7033,2179911|title=Bill Virdon is shaping up real fine|first=Milton|last=Richman|agency=United Press International|date=September 23, 1974|page=10|location=Lexington, North Carolina|work=The Dispatch|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
After the 1955 season, the Cardinals hired [[Frank Lane]], nicknamed "The Trader", as their [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]]. Virdon slumped to begin the 1956 season, and the Cardinals traded him to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in May 1956 for [[Bobby Del Greco]] and [[Dick Littlefield]].<ref name=sabr/> Lane claimed that Virdon's late season slump in 1955 was because he tired down the stretch, and that is why he chose to trade him.<ref name=aaron>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19560920&id=5v8jAAAAIBAJ&pg=4924,5941056&hl=en|title=Bill Virdon of Pirates Now Looms as Batter Aaron Must Beat Out|first=Cleon|last=Walfoort|date=September 20, 1956|page=17|work=The Milwaukee Journal|access-date=February 28, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Lane later referred to the trade as "the worst trade [he] ever made".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19740923&id=Qn4cAAAAIBAJ&pg=7033,2179911|title=Bill Virdon is shaping up real fine|first=Milton|last=Richman|agency=United Press International|date=September 23, 1974|page=10|location=Lexington, North Carolina|work=The Dispatch|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


When he arrived at Pittsburgh, he developed an eye condition, for which he received treatment, missing one week of the season.<ref name=aaron/> Virdon's vision improved, and he challenged [[Hank Aaron]] for the [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|NL batting title]]. Virdon batted .334 for the Pirates during remainder of the season, which increased his season batting average to .319, second-best in the NL to Aaron, who batted .328.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1956-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1956 National League Batting Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 25, 2016}}</ref> Pirates' announcer [[Bob Prince]] gave Virdon the nickname "Quail" due to the frequency of his soft-hit [[infield hit]]s.<ref name=sabr/>
When he arrived at Pittsburgh, he developed an eye condition, for which he received treatment, missing one week of the season.<ref name=aaron/> Virdon's vision improved, and he challenged [[Hank Aaron]] for the [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|NL batting title]]. Virdon batted .334 for the Pirates during remainder of the season, which increased his season batting average to .319, second-best in the NL to Aaron, who batted .328.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1956-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1956 National League Batting Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 25, 2016}}</ref> Pirates' announcer [[Bob Prince]] gave Virdon the nickname "Quail" due to the frequency of his soft-hit [[infield hit]]s.<ref name=sabr/>


The Pirates hired [[Danny Murtaugh]] as their manager during the 1957 season; Virdon credited Murtaugh with pushing him to perform at his best. Virdon consistently batted in the .260s for the next several seasons.<ref name=sabr/> He led all NL center fielders in [[assist (baseball)|assists]] in 1959 with 16, and in [[double play]]s turned with five.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1959-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1959 National League Fielding Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> In 1960, Virdon, along with [[right fielder]] [[Roberto Clemente]], [[shortstop]] [[Dick Groat]], [[second baseman]] [[Bill Mazeroski]], and [[third baseman]] [[Don Hoak]], formed a strong defensive unit for the Pirates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/67824/the-best-defensive-teams-of-all-time|title=The best defensive teams of all time|work=ESPN.com|first=David|last=Schoenfield|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> and they reached the [[1960 World Series]], where they faced the [[New York Yankees]]. Virdon batted .241 during the seven game series. In the deciding Game 7, he hit a [[ground ball]] that struck Yankees shortstop [[Tony Kubek]] in the throat after taking an unpredictable bounce, enabling Virdon to reach base safely. This started a rally for the Pirates that culminated in [[Bill Mazeroski]]'s home run that won the series for Pittsburgh.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_703969.html#axzz3O4tcTux5|title=1960 World Series Game 7 a 'life-changing experience' for players|author=Kevin Flowers|date=October 13, 2010|work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2010/columns/story?id=5676003|title=1960 World Series Game 7: The greatest game ever played|work=ESPN.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
The Pirates hired [[Danny Murtaugh]] as their manager during the 1957 season; Virdon credited Murtaugh with pushing him to perform at his best. Virdon consistently batted in the .260s for the next several seasons.<ref name=sabr/> He led all NL center fielders in [[assist (baseball)|assists]] in 1959 with 16, and in [[double play]]s turned with five.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1959-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1959 National League Fielding Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> In 1960, Virdon, along with [[right fielder]] [[Roberto Clemente]], [[shortstop]] [[Dick Groat]], [[second baseman]] [[Bill Mazeroski]], and [[third baseman]] [[Don Hoak]], formed a strong defensive unit for the Pirates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/67824/the-best-defensive-teams-of-all-time|title=The best defensive teams of all time|work=ESPN.com|first=David|last=Schoenfield|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> and they reached the [[1960 World Series]], where they faced the [[New York Yankees]]. Virdon batted .241 during the seven game series. In the deciding Game 7, he hit a [[ground ball]] that struck Yankees shortstop [[Tony Kubek]] in the throat after taking an unpredictable bounce, enabling Virdon to reach base safely. This started a rally for the Pirates that culminated in [[Bill Mazeroski]]'s home run that won the series for Pittsburgh.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_703969.html#axzz3O4tcTux5|title=1960 World Series Game 7 a 'life-changing experience' for players|author=Kevin Flowers|date=October 13, 2010|work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2010/columns/story?id=5676003|title=1960 World Series Game 7: The greatest game ever played|work=ESPN.com|date=October 13, 2010|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


Virdon led the NL in [[triple (baseball)|triples]] with 10 during the 1962 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1962-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1962 National League Batting Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> That year, he won the [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award]].<ref name=sabr/> He struggled in the 1964 season, batting only .243.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19651117&id=oMZaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7219,2949918&hl=en|title=Virdon Retires as Pirate Centerfielder|first=Jack|last=Hernon|page=28|date=November 17, 1965|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Though his batting average improved to .279 in the 1965 season, Virdon retired after the season due to his desire to become a [[manager (baseball)|manager]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19651117&id=j24jAAAAIBAJ&pg=3513,700926|title=Bill Virdon Retires As Player And Looks To Managing Career|first=Lester J.|last=Biederman|page=73|date=November 17, 1965|work=The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon retired with 1,596 MLB hits<ref name=post2002/> and a career [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] of .267 with 91 [[home run]]s during his 1,583-game NL career.
Virdon led the NL in [[triple (baseball)|triples]] with 10 during the 1962 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1962-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1962 National League Batting Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> That year, he won the [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award]].<ref name=sabr/> He struggled in the 1964 season, batting only .243.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19651117&id=oMZaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7219,2949918&hl=en|title=Virdon Retires as Pirate Centerfielder|first=Jack|last=Hernon|page=28|date=November 17, 1965|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Though his batting average improved to .279 in the 1965 season, Virdon retired after the season due to his desire to become a [[manager (baseball)|manager]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19651117&id=j24jAAAAIBAJ&pg=3513,700926|title=Bill Virdon Retires As Player And Looks To Managing Career|first=Lester J.|last=Biederman|page=73|date=November 17, 1965|work=The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon retired with 1,596 MLB hits<ref name=post2002/> and a career [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] of .267 with 91 [[home run]]s during his 1,583-game NL career.


Virdon hit an impressive .404 against [[Sandy Koufax]], the highest average of any batter facing the legendary [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] pitcher.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who’s Your Daddy? … Sandy Koufax Edition|url=https://baseballroundtable.com/whos-your-daddy-sandy-koufax-edition/}}</ref>
Virdon hit an impressive .404 against [[Sandy Koufax]], the highest average of any batter facing the legendary [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] pitcher.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who's Your Daddy? … Sandy Koufax Edition|date=November 2, 2019|url=https://baseballroundtable.com/whos-your-daddy-sandy-koufax-edition/}}</ref>


===Coaching and managing===
==Coaching and managing career==
[[File:Bill Virdon (manager) - Houston Astros - 1976.jpg|thumb|Virdon in 1976]]
[[File:Bill Virdon (manager) - Houston Astros - 1976.jpg|thumb|Virdon in 1976]]
Virdon began operating a baseball academy in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19551213&id=Ky4oAAAAIBAJ&pg=7336,2643416|title=Cards' Virdon Fast Operator: St. Louis Star Goes From Rookie to Teacher in One Year|first=Steve|last=Snider|agency=United Press International|work=The Milwaukee Journal|page=2|date=December 13, 1955|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> After the 1962 season, Virdon [[coach (baseball)|coached]] in the [[Arizona Instructional League]]. He coached in the [[Florida Instructional League]] following the 1964 season. Following his retirement as a player after the 1965 season, Virdon spent the next two seasons as a manager in the minor leagues for the [[New York Mets]]' organization.<ref name=sabr/> In 1966, he managed the [[Williamsport Mets]] of the Eastern League,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=695b9940|title=1966 Williamsport Mets|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> and in 1967, he managed the [[Jacksonville Suns]] of the International League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=7ba56317|title=1967 Jacksonville Suns|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> He led Williamsport to a 68–72 win-loss record, and Jacksonville to a 66–73 record.<ref name=ourman>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19720217&id=IlhQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5923,730990&hl=en|title=Brown: Virdon Had To Be Our Man|first=Bob|last=Chick|page=1-C|date=February 17, 1972|work=The Evening Independent|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
Virdon began operating a baseball academy in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19551213&id=Ky4oAAAAIBAJ&pg=7336,2643416|title=Cards' Virdon Fast Operator: St. Louis Star Goes From Rookie to Teacher in One Year|first=Steve|last=Snider|agency=United Press International|work=The Milwaukee Journal|page=2|date=December 13, 1955|access-date=February 26, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After the 1962 season, Virdon [[coach (baseball)|coached]] in the [[Arizona Instructional League]]. He coached in the [[Florida Instructional League]] following the 1964 season. Following his retirement as a player after the 1965 season, Virdon spent the next two seasons as a manager in the minor leagues for the [[New York Mets]]' organization.<ref name=sabr/> In 1966, he managed the [[Williamsport Mets]] of the Eastern League,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=695b9940|title=1966 Williamsport Mets|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> and in 1967, he managed the [[Jacksonville Suns]] of the International League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=7ba56317|title=1967 Jacksonville Suns|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> He led Williamsport to a 68–72 win–loss record, and Jacksonville to a 66–73 record.<ref name=ourman>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19720217&id=IlhQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5923,730990&hl=en|title=Brown: Virdon Had To Be Our Man|first=Bob|last=Chick|page=1-C|date=February 17, 1972|work=The Evening Independent|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


Virdon joined the Pirates' major league coaching staff under manager [[Larry Shepard]] in 1968. He also appeared in six games as a player because a number of Pirates players had entered military service.<ref name=sabr/> Shepard left the Pirates after the 1969 season, and Virdon interviewed to become the Pirates' next manager.<ref name=ourman/> However, the Pirates re-hired Murtaugh, and Virdon remained on Murtaugh's coaching staff.<ref name=sabr/> Virdon coached the Pirates as they won the [[1971 World Series]].<ref name=pitch>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/baseball/Springfield-Cardinals/2014/04/03/virdon-throws-first-pitch-cards/7288675/|title=Virdon throws first pitch for Cards|work=Springfield News-Leader|first=Chris|last=Basnett|date=April 3, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> Due to health problems, Murtaugh retired after the 1971 season,<ref name=fired/> and Virdon was named as his successor.<ref name=sabr/>
Virdon joined the Pirates' major league coaching staff under manager [[Larry Shepard]] in 1968. He also appeared in six games as a player because a number of Pirates players had entered military service.<ref name=sabr/> Shepard left the Pirates after the 1969 season, and Virdon interviewed to become the Pirates' next manager.<ref name=ourman/> However, the Pirates re-hired Murtaugh, and Virdon remained on Murtaugh's coaching staff.<ref name=sabr/> Virdon coached for the Pirates as they won the [[1971 World Series]].<ref name=pitch>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/baseball/Springfield-Cardinals/2014/04/03/virdon-throws-first-pitch-cards/7288675/|title=Virdon throws first pitch for Cards|work=Springfield News-Leader|first=Chris|last=Basnett|date=April 3, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> Due to health problems, Murtaugh retired after the 1971 season,<ref name=fired/> and Virdon was named as his successor.<ref name=sabr/>


As a manager, Virdon led the Pirates to the 1972 [[National League East|NL East]] division title, but the Pirates lost the [[1972 National League Championship Series]] (NLCS) to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] when Pittsburgh pitcher [[Bob Moose]] unleashed a wild pitch in the final inning of Game 5, allowing the winning run to score.<ref name=post2002/> The 1973 Pirates had to play without Clemente, who died during the previous offseason. Further struggles included pitcher [[Steve Blass]]' inability to throw [[strike zone|strikes]] and injuries to [[Dock Ellis]].<ref name=fired>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19730907&id=sIolAAAAIBAJ&pg=955,4361769&hl=en|title=Danny Murtaugh Returns As Manager Of Pittsburgh Pirates; Bill Virdon Is Fired|first=Gary|last=Mihoces|agency=Associated Press|page=11|date=September 7, 1973|work=Gettysburg Times|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Virdon clashed with Ellis and [[Richie Hebner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19730814&id=UQUrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2347,2031734&hl=en|title=Richie Hebner Won't Apologize to Virdon|agency=Associated Press|date=August 14, 1973|page=16|access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> The Pirates were in third place with a 67–69 record when the team fired Virdon and replaced him with Murtaugh.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19730907&id=Z58rAAAAIBAJ&pg=4483,887029|title=Bucs' Virdon Is Replaced By Murtaugh|agency=United Press International|page=11|date=September 7, 1973|work=The Telegraph|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
As a manager, Virdon led the Pirates to the 1972 [[National League East|NL East]] division title, but the Pirates lost the [[1972 National League Championship Series]] (NLCS) to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] when Pittsburgh pitcher [[Bob Moose]] unleashed a wild pitch in the final inning of Game 5, allowing the winning run to score.<ref name=post2002/> The 1973 Pirates now played without Clemente, who died during the previous offseason. Further struggles included pitcher [[Steve Blass]]' inability to throw [[strike zone|strikes]] and injuries to [[Dock Ellis]].<ref name=fired>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19730907&id=sIolAAAAIBAJ&pg=955,4361769&hl=en|title=Danny Murtaugh Returns As Manager Of Pittsburgh Pirates; Bill Virdon Is Fired|first=Gary|last=Mihoces|agency=Associated Press|page=11|date=September 7, 1973|work=Gettysburg Times|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Virdon clashed with Ellis and [[Richie Hebner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19730814&id=UQUrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2347,2031734&hl=en|title=Richie Hebner Won't Apologize to Virdon|agency=Associated Press|date=August 14, 1973|page=16|access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> The Pirates were in third place with a 67–69 record when the team fired Virdon and replaced him with Murtaugh.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19730907&id=Z58rAAAAIBAJ&pg=4483,887029|title=Bucs' Virdon Is Replaced By Murtaugh|agency=United Press International|page=11|date=September 7, 1973|work=The Telegraph|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


The Yankees announced the hiring of [[Dick Williams]] as their manager for the 1974 season, but [[American League]] [[List of American League presidents|president]] [[Joe Cronin]] nullified the transaction because Williams was still under contract with the [[Oakland Athletics]]. The Athletics demanded [[prospect (sports)|prospects]] [[Otto Vélez]] and [[Scott McGregor (left-handed pitcher)|Scott McGregor]] as compensation for Williams, but the Yankees decided the price was too steep.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19740104&id=8chdAAAAIBAJ&pg=2014,634516&hl=en|title=Virdon Is Yankee Manager|agency=Associated Press|page=B-2|date=January 4, 1974|location=Washington, Pennsylvania|access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Without a manager, the Yankees hired Virdon, signing him to a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19740102&id=v5AbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2119,336641|title=Yankees Give Up On Williams, Hire Bill Virdon As Manager|first=Milton|last=Richman|agency=United Press International|page=7|date=January 2, 1974|work=The Dispatch|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon led the Yankees to a competitive finish, one game behind the [[Baltimore Orioles]] in the [[American League East]] division. He won ''[[The Sporting News]]''{{'}} [[Sporting News Manager of the Year Award|Manager of the Year Award]].<ref name=sabr/> The Yankees signed him to a two-year contract after the 1974 season, with a raise from $50,000 to $65,000 per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19741025&id=Xv0qAAAAIBAJ&pg=729,2713929|title=Bill Virdon Gets The Last Laugh|agency=United Press International|page=B-3|date=October 25, 1974|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19741025&id=x34lAAAAIBAJ&pg=2436,554434|title=Bill Virdon Signs 2-Year Yankee Pact|agency=Associated Press|page=14|date=October 25, 1974|work=Gettysburg Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> However, Virdon clashed with [[Bobby Murcer]].<ref name=sabr/> He received a [[death threat]] due to his preference of playing [[Elliott Maddox]] over Murcer in center field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19740530&id=nFoqAAAAIBAJ&pg=5786,5613875|title=Bill Virdon Shrugs Off Death Threat|agency=United Press International|page=40|date=May 30, 1974|work=The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The Yankees struggled in 1975. When [[Billy Martin]] was fired as manager of the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] during the 1975 season, the Yankees fired Virdon on August 2 and hired Martin.<ref name=astros/>
The Yankees announced the hiring of [[Dick Williams]] as their manager for the 1974 season, but [[American League]] [[List of American League presidents|president]] [[Joe Cronin]] nullified the transaction because Williams was still under contract with the [[Oakland Athletics]]. The Athletics demanded [[prospect (sports)|prospects]] [[Otto Vélez]] and [[Scott McGregor (left-handed pitcher)|Scott McGregor]] as compensation for Williams, but the Yankees decided the price was too steep.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19740104&id=8chdAAAAIBAJ&pg=2014,634516&hl=en|title=Virdon Is Yankee Manager|agency=Associated Press|page=B-2|date=January 4, 1974|location=Washington, Pennsylvania|access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Without a manager, the Yankees hired Virdon, signing him to a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19740102&id=v5AbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2119,336641|title=Yankees Give Up On Williams, Hire Bill Virdon As Manager|first=Milton|last=Richman|agency=United Press International|page=7|date=January 2, 1974|work=The Dispatch|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon led the Yankees to a competitive finish, one game behind the [[Baltimore Orioles]] in the [[American League East]] division. He won ''[[The Sporting News]]''{{'}} [[Sporting News Manager of the Year Award|Manager of the Year Award]].<ref name=sabr/> The Yankees signed him to a two-year contract after the 1974 season, with a raise from $50,000 to $65,000 per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19741025&id=Xv0qAAAAIBAJ&pg=729,2713929|title=Bill Virdon Gets The Last Laugh|agency=United Press International|page=B-3|date=October 25, 1974|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19741025&id=x34lAAAAIBAJ&pg=2436,554434|title=Bill Virdon Signs 2-Year Yankee Pact|agency=Associated Press|page=14|date=October 25, 1974|work=Gettysburg Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> However, Virdon clashed with [[Bobby Murcer]].<ref name=sabr/> He received a [[death threat]] due to his preference of playing [[Elliott Maddox]] over Murcer in center field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19740530&id=nFoqAAAAIBAJ&pg=5786,5613875|title=Bill Virdon Shrugs Off Death Threat|agency=United Press International|page=40|date=May 30, 1974|work=The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The Yankees struggled in 1975. When [[Billy Martin]] was fired as manager of the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] during the 1975 season, the Yankees fired Virdon on August 2 and hired Martin.<ref name=astros/> With [[Yankee Stadium]] being renovated in the two years he was at the helm (the club played at [[Shea Stadium]] instead), Virdon became the only Yankees manager (post-1923) to never manage a game at the Yankees’ venerable ballpark.


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Bill Virdon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Virdon honored at [[PNC Park]] on June 19, 2010]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Bill Virdon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Virdon honored at [[PNC Park]] on June 19, 2010]] -->
The [[Houston Astros]] hired Virdon as their manager on August 20, 1975, succeeding [[Preston Gómez]]. [[Tal Smith]], who had served as executive vice president for the Yankees, had become the Astros' [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] on August 7.<ref name=astros>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=19750820&id=6JofAAAAIBAJ&pg=2489,3363183|title=Bill Virdon Replaces Gomez|agency=Associated Press|page=11|date=August 20, 1975|work=The Nevada Daily Mail|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon led the Astros to third-place finishes in 1976 and 1977, but the Astros slipped to fifth place in 1978. The 1979 Astros fell one game short of winning the [[National League West|NL West]] division championship. The Astros tied the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] for the division championship in 1980, and defeated them in the [[1980 National League West tie-breaker game|1980 NL West tie-breaker game]]. The Astros played the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in the [[1980 National League Championship Series|1980 NLCS]], losing the series in five games. He again won the Manager of the Year Award in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19801118&id=JG8sAAAAIBAJ&pg=3646,3838493&hl=en|title=Houston's Bill Virdon Named Top National League Manager|agency=Associated Press|page=B2|date=November 18, 1980|work=Herald-Journal|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Due to the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike]], the 1981 season was split into halves with each half's winner appearing in the [[1981 National League Division Series|1981 NL Division Series]]. The Dodgers won the first half, while the Astros won the second. In the Division Series, the Dodgers defeated the Astros in five games. During the 1982 season, the Astros fell to fifth place. Virdon was fired during the season and replaced by [[Bob Lillis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19820811&id=zu0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=5624,3799221|title=Bill Virdon gets the ax|agency=United Press International|date=August 11, 1982|page=15|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19820811&id=gj9WAAAAIBAJ&pg=5451,3030871|title=Astros Fire Bill Virdon As Manager|agency=Associated Press|date=August 11, 1982|work=Gainesville Sun|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
The [[Houston Astros]] hired Virdon as their manager on August 20, 1975, succeeding [[Preston Gómez]]. [[Tal Smith]], who had served as executive vice president for the Yankees, had become the Astros' [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] on August 7.<ref name=astros>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=19750820&id=6JofAAAAIBAJ&pg=2489,3363183|title=Bill Virdon Replaces Gomez|agency=Associated Press|page=11|date=August 20, 1975|work=The Nevada Daily Mail|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon led the Astros to third-place finishes in 1976 and 1977, but the Astros slipped to fifth place in 1978. The 1979 Astros fell one game short of winning the [[National League West|NL West]] division championship. The Astros tied the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] for the division championship in 1980, and defeated them in the [[1980 National League West tie-breaker game|1980 NL West tie-breaker game]]. The Astros played the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in the [[1980 National League Championship Series|1980 NLCS]], losing the series in five games. He again won the Manager of the Year Award in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19801118&id=JG8sAAAAIBAJ&pg=3646,3838493&hl=en|title=Houston's Bill Virdon Named Top National League Manager|agency=Associated Press|page=B2|date=November 18, 1980|work=Herald-Journal|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Due to the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike]], the 1981 season was split into halves with each half's winner appearing in the [[1981 National League Division Series|1981 NL Division Series]]. The Dodgers won the first half, while the Astros won the second. In the Division Series, the Dodgers defeated the Astros in five games. During the 1982 season, the Astros fell to fifth place. Virdon was fired during the season and replaced by [[Bob Lillis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19820811&id=zu0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=5624,3799221|title=Bill Virdon gets the ax|agency=United Press International|date=August 11, 1982|page=15|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19820811&id=gj9WAAAAIBAJ&pg=5451,3030871|title=Astros Fire Bill Virdon As Manager|agency=Associated Press|date=August 11, 1982|work=Gainesville Sun|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


The [[Montreal Expos]] hired Virdon as their manager before the 1983 season, replacing [[Jim Fanning]], and signed a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/13/sports/expos-name-bill-virdon.html|title=Expos Name Bill Virdon|agency=United Press International|date=October 13, 1982|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> During the 1984 season, Virdon expressed to Expos general manager [[John McHale (baseball)|John McHale]] that he did not want to return to the Expos in 1985.<ref name="google.com">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19840831&id=zV8tAAAAIBAJ&pg=2520,6063246&hl=en|title=Expos: Virdon out, Fanning in|agency=Associated Press|page=B4|date=August 31, 1984|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> With a 64–67 record in August 1984, the Expos fired Virdon, replacing him with Fanning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19840831&id=TlhWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5600,9387215|title=Expos, Virdon agree: it's time for a new boss|page=22|date=August 31, 1984|work=The Spokesman-Review|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> [[Gary Lucas (baseball)|Gary Lucas]], a pitcher for the Expos, felt that they had lost many one-run games because Virdon was too conservative in his managing, not employing the [[hit and run (baseball)|hit and run]] play and relying on the starting pitcher for long in the game.<ref name="google.com"/>
The [[Montreal Expos]] hired Virdon as their manager before the 1983 season, replacing [[Jim Fanning]], and signed him to a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/13/sports/expos-name-bill-virdon.html|title=Expos Name Bill Virdon|agency=United Press International|date=October 13, 1982|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> During the 1984 season, Virdon expressed to Expos general manager [[John McHale (baseball)|John McHale]] that he did not want to return to the Expos in 1985.<ref name="google.com">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19840831&id=zV8tAAAAIBAJ&pg=2520,6063246&hl=en|title=Expos: Virdon out, Fanning in|agency=Associated Press|page=B4|date=August 31, 1984|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> With a 64–67 record in August 1984, the Expos fired Virdon, replacing him with Fanning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19840831&id=TlhWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5600,9387215|title=Expos, Virdon agree: it's time for a new boss|page=22|date=August 31, 1984|work=The Spokesman-Review|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> [[Gary Lucas (baseball)|Gary Lucas]], a pitcher for the Expos, felt that they had lost many one-run games because Virdon was too conservative in his managing, not employing the [[hit and run (baseball)|hit and run]] play and relying on the starting pitcher for too long into the game.<ref name="google.com"/>


Virdon returned to the Pirates as the hitting coach under [[Jim Leyland]] in 1986, Leyland's first season as a manager. He took the position only when he was convinced that he would not succeed Leyland should the Pirates fire him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19851217&id=z9A_AAAAIBAJ&pg=4061,3792223|title=Roberts, Bonilla may be returned|first=Mike|last=Prisuta|page=C2|date=December 18, 1985|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Following a contract dispute, the Pirates replaced Virdon with [[Milt May]] before the 1987 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19861112&id=ybwdAAAAIBAJ&pg=6029,2006084|title=May Replaces Virdon|page=4C|date=November 12, 1986|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon remained with the Pirates as a minor league hitting instructor for the Pirates from 1987 through 1989. He worked as a spring training instructor for the Cardinals in 1990 and 1991, and then rejoined Leyland's coaching staff in Pittsburgh in 1992.<ref name=coach/>
Virdon returned to the Pirates as the hitting coach under [[Jim Leyland]] in 1986, Leyland's first season as a manager. He took the position only when he was convinced that he would not succeed Leyland should the Pirates fire him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19851217&id=z9A_AAAAIBAJ&pg=4061,3792223|title=Roberts, Bonilla may be returned|first=Mike|last=Prisuta|page=C2|date=December 18, 1985|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Following a contract dispute, the Pirates replaced Virdon with [[Milt May]] before the 1987 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19861112&id=ybwdAAAAIBAJ&pg=6029,2006084|title=May Replaces Virdon|page=4C|date=November 12, 1986|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon remained with the Pirates as a minor league hitting instructor from 1987 through 1989. He worked as a spring training instructor for the Cardinals in 1990 and 1991, and then rejoined Leyland's coaching staff in Pittsburgh in 1992.<ref name=coach/>


With Major League Baseball [[1993 Major League Baseball expansion|expanding]] by two teams for the 1993 season, Virdon interviewed for the managerial positions of both expansion teams, the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] and the [[Colorado Rockies]], in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19921002&id=PTcdAAAAIBAJ&pg=4820,280680|title=Bill Virdon interviews for Marlins' job|agency=Associated Press|page=5C|work=The Tuscaloosa News|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19920927&id=AfVTAAAAIBAJ&pg=2050,4988290|title=At the starting line|work=[[Boca Raton News|The News]]|date=September 27, 1992|page=4D|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The Marlins instead hired [[Rene Lachemann]], and the Rockies hired [[Don Baylor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19921022&id=U8ZPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4242,1046557|title=Lachemann to become 1st Marlins manager|page=1C|agency=Scripps News Service|date=October 22, 1992|work=Ocala Star-Banner|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19921028&id=JKlJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1496,3591480|title=Baylor named Rockies manager|page=9|date=October 28, 1992|agency=Associated Press|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> In 1994, Virdon interviewed with the Orioles for their vacant managerial position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19940928&id=gbsiAAAAIBAJ&pg=5350,6307281|title=Virdon to talk to Orioles|page=B2|date=September 28, 1994|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon left the Pirates after the 1995 season.<ref name=coach/> He became the bench coach for the Astros under first-time manager [[Larry Dierker]] in 1997.<ref name=coach>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2004&dat=20001030&id=dcQiAAAAIBAJ&pg=5350,8188355|title=Virdon couldn't say no to Bucs' bench job|first=John|last=Perrotto|pages=B1, B5|date=October 30, 2000|work=Allegheny Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The Pirates brought Virdon back as their bench coach for the 2001 season under first-time manager [[Lloyd McClendon]].<ref name=coach/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=20001031&id=a-dRAAAAIBAJ&pg=2407,9187488|title=Virdon rejoins Pirates' staff: Former manager, player hired as bench coach for McClendon|first=Paul|last=Meyer|page=D-1|date=October 31, 2000|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> He retired from coaching after the 2002 season.<ref name=post2002>{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/pirates/20021006virdon4.asp|title=After 53 years, Virdon cuts back on baseball|first=Rick|last=Shrum|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=October 6, 2002|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
With Major League Baseball [[1993 Major League Baseball expansion|expanding]] by two teams for the 1993 season, in 1992 Virdon interviewed for the managerial positions of both expansion teams, the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] and the [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19921002&id=PTcdAAAAIBAJ&pg=4820,280680|title=Bill Virdon interviews for Marlins' job|agency=Associated Press|page=5C|work=The Tuscaloosa News|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19920927&id=AfVTAAAAIBAJ&pg=2050,4988290|title=At the starting line|work=[[Boca Raton News|The News]]|date=September 27, 1992|page=4D|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The Marlins instead hired [[Rene Lachemann]], and the Rockies hired [[Don Baylor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19921022&id=U8ZPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4242,1046557|title=Lachemann to become 1st Marlins manager|page=1C|agency=Scripps News Service|date=October 22, 1992|work=Ocala Star-Banner|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19921028&id=JKlJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1496,3591480|title=Baylor named Rockies manager|page=9|date=October 28, 1992|agency=Associated Press|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> In 1994, Virdon interviewed with the Orioles for their vacant managerial position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19940928&id=gbsiAAAAIBAJ&pg=5350,6307281|title=Virdon to talk to Orioles|page=B2|date=September 28, 1994|work=Beaver County Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon left the Pirates after the 1995 season.<ref name=coach/> He became the bench coach for the Astros under first-time manager [[Larry Dierker]] in 1997.<ref name=coach>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2004&dat=20001030&id=dcQiAAAAIBAJ&pg=5350,8188355|title=Virdon couldn't say no to Bucs' bench job|first=John|last=Perrotto|pages=B1, B5|date=October 30, 2000|work=Allegheny Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The Pirates brought Virdon back as their bench coach for the 2001 season under first-time manager [[Lloyd McClendon]].<ref name=coach/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=20001031&id=a-dRAAAAIBAJ&pg=2407,9187488|title=Virdon rejoins Pirates' staff: Former manager, player hired as bench coach for McClendon|first=Paul|last=Meyer|page=D-1|date=October 31, 2000|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> He retired from coaching after the 2002 season.<ref name=post2002>{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/pirates/20021006virdon4.asp|title=After 53 years, Virdon cuts back on baseball|first=Rick|last=Shrum|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=October 6, 2002|access-date=February 26, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307133630/http://old.post-gazette.com/pirates/20021006virdon4.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Virdon's career managerial record, over all or parts of 13 seasons, was 995–921 (.519). He also managed in the minor leagues for the Cardinals and the Astros.<ref name=sabr/> In June 2012, the Pirates attempted to add Virdon and Mazeroski to their coaching staff,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/sports/2049337-85/pirates-hurdle-mazeroski-virdon-twins-era-pick-round-signed-team#axzz3O4tcTux5|title=Mazeroski, Virdon serve as Pirates' coaches|author=Karen Price|date=June 19, 2012|work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> but were rebuffed by MLB for violating the rules on uniformed coaching staffs after one game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/big-league-stew/mlb-bounces-bill-mazeroski-bill-virdon-pirates-dugout-143138285--mlb.html|title=MLB bounces Bill Mazeroski and Bill Virdon from Pirates dugout after one game|date=June 21, 2012|work=Yahoo! Sports|first=Kevin|last=Kaduk|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon continued to serve as a special outfield instructor for the Pirates during spring training.<ref name=springtraining>{{cite web|url=http://springtraining.heraldtribune.com/2013/02/27/virdon/|title=Virdon left his mark on Casey Stengel|first=Tom|last=Balog|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
Virdon's career managerial record, over all or parts of 13 seasons, was 995–921 (.519). He also managed in the minor leagues for the Cardinals and the Astros.<ref name=sabr/> In June 2012, the Pirates attempted to add Virdon and Mazeroski to their coaching staff,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/sports/2049337-85/pirates-hurdle-mazeroski-virdon-twins-era-pick-round-signed-team#axzz3O4tcTux5|title=Mazeroski, Virdon serve as Pirates' coaches|author=Karen Price|date=June 19, 2012|work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> but were rebuffed by MLB for violating the rules on uniformed coaching staffs after one game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/big-league-stew/mlb-bounces-bill-mazeroski-bill-virdon-pirates-dugout-143138285--mlb.html|title=MLB bounces Bill Mazeroski and Bill Virdon from Pirates dugout after one game|date=June 21, 2012|work=Yahoo! Sports|first=Kevin|last=Kaduk|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> Virdon continued to serve as a special outfield instructor for the Pirates during spring training.<ref name=springtraining>{{cite web|url=http://springtraining.heraldtribune.com/2013/02/27/virdon/|title=Virdon left his mark on Casey Stengel|first=Tom|last=Balog|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


====Managerial record====
==Managerial record==
⚫
<small>Source: <ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Virdon Managerial Record |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/virdobi01.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref></small>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
Line 111: Line 109:
|-
|-
|-style="background:#fdd"
|-style="background:#fdd"
![[1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season|PIT]]|| {{mlby|1972}}
![[1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season|PIT]]|| 1972
||155||{{WinLossPct|96|59}}|| '''1st in NL East''' || {{WinLossPct|2|3}} || Lost [[1972 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[1972 Cincinnati Reds season|CIN]])
||155||{{WinLossPct|96|59}}|| '''1st in NL East''' || {{WinLossPct|2|3}} || Lost [[1972 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[1972 Cincinnati Reds season|CIN]])
|-
|-
![[1973 Pittsburgh Pirates season|PIT]]|| {{mlby|1973}}
![[1973 Pittsburgh Pirates season|PIT]]|| 1973
||136||{{WinLossPct|67|69}}|| fired || – || – || – || –
||136||{{WinLossPct|67|69}}|| fired || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|PIT total ||291||{{WinLossPct|163|128}}|| || {{WinLossPct|2|3}} ||
! colspan="2"|PIT total ||291||{{WinLossPct|163|128}}|| || {{WinLossPct|2|3}} ||
|-
|-
![[1974 New York Yankees season|NYY]]|| {{mlby|1974}}
![[1974 New York Yankees season|NYY]]|| 1974
||162||{{WinLossPct|89|73}}|| 2nd in AL East || – || – || – || –
||162||{{WinLossPct|89|73}}|| 2nd in AL East || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
![[1975 New York Yankees season|NYY]]|| {{mlby|1975}}
![[1975 New York Yankees season|NYY]]|| 1975
||104||{{WinLossPct|53|51}}|| fired || – || – || – || –
||104||{{WinLossPct|53|51}}|| fired || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|NYY total ||266||{{WinLossPct|142|124}}|| || {{WinLossPct|0|0}} ||
! colspan="2"|NYY total ||266||{{WinLossPct|142|124}}|| || {{WinLossPct|0|0}} ||
|-
|-
![[1975 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1975}}
![[1975 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1975
||34||{{WinLossPct|17|17}}|| 6th in NL West || – || – || – || –
||34||{{WinLossPct|17|17}}|| 6th in NL West || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
![[1976 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1976}}
![[1976 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1976
||162||{{WinLossPct|80|82}}|| 3rd in NL West || – || – || – || –
||162||{{WinLossPct|80|82}}|| 3rd in NL West || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
![[1977 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1977}}
![[1977 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1977
||162||{{WinLossPct|81|81}}|| 3rd in NL West || – || – || – || –
||162||{{WinLossPct|81|81}}|| 3rd in NL West || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
![[1978 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1978}}
![[1978 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1978
||162||{{WinLossPct|74|88}}|| 5th in NL West || – || – || – || –
||162||{{WinLossPct|74|88}}|| 5th in NL West || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
![[1979 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1979}}
![[1979 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1979
||162||{{WinLossPct|89|73}}|| 2nd in NL West || – || – || – || –
||162||{{WinLossPct|89|73}}|| 2nd in NL West || – || – || – || –
|-style="background:#fdd"
|-style="background:#fdd"
![[1980 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1980}}
![[1980 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1980
||163||{{WinLossPct|93|70}}|| '''1st in NL West''' || {{WinLossPct|2|3}} || Lost [[1980 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[1980 Philadelphia Phillies season|PHI]])
||163||{{WinLossPct|93|70}}|| '''1st in NL West''' || {{WinLossPct|2|3}} || Lost [[1980 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[1980 Philadelphia Phillies season|PHI]])
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| [[1981 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| rowspan="2"| {{mlby|1981}}
!rowspan="2"| [[1981 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| rowspan="2"| 1981
||57||{{WinLossPct|28|29}}|| 3rd in NL West || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| 2 || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| 3 || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| .400 || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| Lost [[1981 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1981 Los Angeles Dodgers season|LAD]])
||57||{{WinLossPct|28|29}}|| 3rd in NL West || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| 2 || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| 3 || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| .400 || rowspan="2" style="background:#fdd"| Lost [[1981 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1981 Los Angeles Dodgers season|LAD]])
|-style="background:#fdd"
|-style="background:#fdd"
||53||{{WinLossPct|33|20}}|| '''1st in NL West'''
||53||{{WinLossPct|33|20}}|| '''1st in NL West'''
|-
|-
![[1982 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| {{mlby|1982}}
![[1982 Houston Astros season|HOU]]|| 1982
||111||{{WinLossPct|49|62}}|| fired || – || – || – || –
||111||{{WinLossPct|49|62}}|| fired || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|HOU total ||1066||{{WinLossPct|544|522}}|| || {{WinLossPct|4|6}} ||
! colspan="2"|HOU total ||1066||{{WinLossPct|544|522}}|| || {{WinLossPct|4|6}} ||
|-
|-
![[1983 Montreal Expos season|MON]]|| {{mlby|1983}}
![[1983 Montreal Expos season|MON]]|| 1983
||162||{{WinLossPct|82|80}}|| 3rd in NL East || – || – || – || –
||162||{{WinLossPct|82|80}}|| 3rd in NL East || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
![[1984 Montreal Expos season|MON]]|| {{mlby|1984}}
![[1984 Montreal Expos season|MON]]|| 1984
||131||{{WinLossPct|64|67}}|| fired|| – || – || – || –
||131||{{WinLossPct|64|67}}|| fired|| – || – || – || –
|-
|-
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|-
|-
! colspan="2"|Total ||1916||{{WinLossPct|995|921}}|| || {{WinLossPct|6|9}} ||
! colspan="2"|Total ||1916||{{WinLossPct|995|921}}|| || {{WinLossPct|6|9}} ||
|-
⚫
| colspan="11" style="text-align: center;" | '''Source:'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Virdon Managerial Record |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/virdobi01.shtml |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=November 24, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|}
|}


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Virdon and his wife, Shirley, married in November 1951,<ref name=scholarship>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=20070217&id=HOopAAAAIBAJ&pg=5929,5790356&hl=en|title=Former major leaguer endows scholarships|page=3B|date=February 17, 2007|work=The Southeast Missourian|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> and lived in [[Springfield, Missouri]]. They had three daughters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19720303&id=iUINAAAAIBAJ&pg=4940,453733&hl=en|title=A Day in the Baseball Life of Bill Virdon|page=21|first=Charley|last=Feeney|date=March 3, 1972|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Together, Bill and Shirley Virdon endowed two scholarships at [[Southeast Missouri State University]], Shirley's [[alma mater]], with one specifically devoted to a baseball player.<ref name=scholarship/>
Virdon and his wife, Shirley, married in November 1951,<ref name=scholarship>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=20070217&id=HOopAAAAIBAJ&pg=5929,5790356&hl=en|title=Former major leaguer endows scholarships|page=3B|date=February 17, 2007|work=The Southeast Missourian|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> and lived in [[Springfield, Missouri]]. They had three daughters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19720303&id=iUINAAAAIBAJ&pg=4940,453733&hl=en|title=A Day in the Baseball Life of Bill Virdon|page=21|first=Charley|last=Feeney|date=March 3, 1972|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref> Together, Bill and Shirley Virdon endowed two scholarships at [[Southeast Missouri State University]], Shirley's [[alma mater]], with one specifically devoted to a baseball player.<ref name=scholarship/>


A portion of the [[U.S. Route 63]] business route in West Plains is named "Bill Virdon Boulevard". Virdon was inducted into the [[Missouri Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1983, and named a Missouri Sports Legend by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozarksfirst.com/sports/hall-names-virdon-missouri-sports-legend|title=Hall Names Virdon Missouri Sports Legend|work=[[KOZL-TV]]|date=May 17, 2012|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> The [[Independence, Missouri|Independence]] Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Virdon in 2013.<ref name=independence/> Following [[Whitey Herzog]]'s election to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 2012, Herzog indicated that he would champion Virdon's cause to the [[Veterans Committee]] in future elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.news-leader.com/cardinals/2012/05/17/herzog-plans-to-press-springfields-virdon-for-cooperstown/|title=Herzog: Plans to press Springfield's Virdon for Cooperstown|first=Kary|last=Booher|work=Springfield News-Leader|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>
A portion of the [[U.S. Route 63]] business route in West Plains from Grace Avenue to US 63 is named "Bill Virdon Boulevard". Virdon was inducted into the [[Missouri Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1983, and named a Missouri Sports Legend by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozarksfirst.com/sports/hall-names-virdon-missouri-sports-legend|title=Hall Names Virdon Missouri Sports Legend|work=[[KOZL-TV]]|date=May 17, 2012|access-date=February 27, 2016|archive-date=February 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228062635/http://www.ozarksfirst.com/sports/hall-names-virdon-missouri-sports-legend|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Independence, Missouri|Independence]] Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Virdon in 2013.<ref name=independence/> Following [[Whitey Herzog]]'s election to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 2010, Herzog indicated that he would champion Virdon's cause to the [[Veterans Committee]] in future elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.news-leader.com/cardinals/2012/05/17/herzog-plans-to-press-springfields-virdon-for-cooperstown/|title=Herzog: Plans to press Springfield's Virdon for Cooperstown|first=Kary|last=Booher|work=Springfield News-Leader|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>


Virdon died on November 23, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bill-virdon-dies-at-90|title=Former Pirates great Virdon dies at 90|work=MLB.com|date=November 23, 2021|accessdate=November 23, 2021}}</ref>
Virdon died on November 23, 2021, at the age of 90.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bill-virdon-dies-at-90|title=Former Pirates great Virdon dies at 90|work=MLB.com|date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{div col}}
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{{Portal bar|Biography|Baseball|United States}}
* [[Houston Astros award winners and league leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career assists as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career fielding errors as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career games played as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a center fielder leaders]]
{{end div col}}
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{{Portal bar|Biography|Baseball|United States}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=|espn=|br=v/virdobi01|fangraphs=|brm=virdon001wil|retro=}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=123734|espn=|br=v/virdobi01|fangraphs=|brm=virdon001wil|retro=V/Pvirdb101}}
{{baseball-reference manager|virdobi01}}
{{baseball-reference manager|virdobi01}}


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{{NL Rookie of the Year}}
{{NL Rookie of the Year}}
{{NL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{NL OF Gold Glove Award}}
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Latest revision as of 19:27, 11 December 2023

Bill Virdon
Virdon with the Pirates in 1965
Center fielder / Manager
Born: (1931-06-09)June 9, 1931
Hazel Park, Michigan, U.S.
Died: November 23, 2021(2021-11-23) (aged 90)
Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 12, 1955, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Last MLB appearance
July 26, 1968, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Batting average.267
Home runs91
Runs batted in502
Managerial record995–921
Winning %.519
Teams
As player

As manager

Career highlights and awards

William Charles Virdon (June 9, 1931 – November 23, 2021) was an American professional baseball outfielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). Virdon played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 through 1965 and in 1968. He served as a coach for the Pirates and Houston Astros, and managed the Pirates, Astros, New York Yankees, and Montreal Expos.

After playing in the minors for the Yankees organization, Virdon was traded to the Cardinals, and he made his MLB debut in 1955. That year, Virdon won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He slumped at the beginning of the 1956 season, and was traded to the Pirates, where he spent the remainder of his playing career. A premier defensive outfielder during his playing days as a center fielder for the Cardinals and Pirates, Virdon led a strong defensive team to the 1960 World Series championship. In 1962, Virdon won a Gold Glove Award. Following the 1965 season, he retired due to his desire to become a manager.

Virdon managed in the minor leagues until returning to the Pirates as a coach in 1968. He served as manager of the Pirates in 1972 and 1973, before becoming the manager of the Yankees in 1974. During the 1975 season, the Yankees fired Virdon, and he was hired by the Astros. After being fired by the Astros after the 1982 season, Virdon managed the Expos in 1983 and 1984. Virdon won The Sporting News' Manager of the Year Award in 1974, his only full season working for the Yankees, and in 1980, while managing the Astros. He returned to the Pirates as a coach following his managerial career, and remained with the Pirates as a guest instructor during spring training.

Early life[edit]

William Charles Virdon was born in Hazel Park, Michigan, on June 9, 1931. His parents, Bertha and Charles Virdon, were originally from Missouri, but moved to Hazel Park during the Great Depression, where they were able to find jobs in automotive factories. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to West Plains, Missouri.[1]

Virdon attended West Plains High School. He competed in American football, basketball, and track and field for the school. As West Plains did not compete in baseball, Virdon traveled to Clay Center, Kansas, to play for their American Amateur Baseball Congress team as a center fielder and shortstop.[1][2] He enrolled at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.[1]

Playing career[edit]

Minor league career[edit]

Virdon attended an open tryout held by the New York Yankees in Branson, Missouri, and scout Tom Greenwade signed Virdon to the Yankees for a $1,800 signing bonus ($22,795 in current dollar terms). Virdon made his professional debut in 1950 with the Independence Yankees in the Class D Kansas–Oklahoma–Missouri League, and was promoted to the Kansas City Blues in the Class AAA American Association for the final 14 games of the season.[1] Virdon played for the Norfolk Tars in the Class B Piedmont League in 1951, and for the Binghamton Triplets in the Class A Eastern League in 1952. The Yankees assigned him to Kansas City in 1953, but he struggled, batting .233.[1] While he played in Kansas City, Virdon was diagnosed with astigmatism.[3] When Kansas City manager Harry Craft noticed Virdon reading while wearing glasses, Craft told him to wear them while he played.[4]

The Yankees demoted Virdon to the Birmingham Barons in the Class AA Southern Association. In 42 games for Birmingham, Virdon had a .317 batting average.[1][5] According to Hal Smith, his roommate with Birmingham, Virdon changed his approach to hitting, prioritizing line drives to all parts of the field, rather than trying to hit for power.[1]

Virdon remained stuck behind Mickey Mantle on the Yankees' depth chart for center field, while Gene Woodling and Hank Bauer played the corner outfield positions. The Yankees traded Virdon to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1954 season with Mel Wright and Emil Tellinger for veteran outfielder and All-Star Enos Slaughter. Virdon struggled during spring training, and Cardinals manager Eddie Stanky worked with Virdon to improve his hitting.[5] The Cardinals assigned Virdon to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League for the season. He led the league with a .333 batting average and hit 22 home runs, finishing second in voting for the International League Most Valuable Player Award to catcher Elston Howard with the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club.[1]

Major league career[edit]

Virdon joined the Cardinals in 1955, as the Cardinals moved Stan Musial to first base to allow Virdon to play the outfield.[1] As a rookie, Virdon had a .281 average with 17 home runs and 69 runs batted in (RBIs).[6] He was named the winner of the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award, voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, beating Jack Meyer of the Philadelphia Phillies.[1][5]

After the 1955 season, the Cardinals hired Frank Lane, nicknamed "The Trader", as their general manager. Virdon slumped to begin the 1956 season, and the Cardinals traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in May 1956 for Bobby Del Greco and Dick Littlefield.[1] Lane claimed that Virdon's late season slump in 1955 was because he tired down the stretch, and that is why he chose to trade him.[7] Lane later referred to the trade as "the worst trade [he] ever made".[8]

When he arrived at Pittsburgh, he developed an eye condition, for which he received treatment, missing one week of the season.[7] Virdon's vision improved, and he challenged Hank Aaron for the NL batting title. Virdon batted .334 for the Pirates during remainder of the season, which increased his season batting average to .319, second-best in the NL to Aaron, who batted .328.[1][9] Pirates' announcer Bob Prince gave Virdon the nickname "Quail" due to the frequency of his soft-hit infield hits.[1]

The Pirates hired Danny Murtaugh as their manager during the 1957 season; Virdon credited Murtaugh with pushing him to perform at his best. Virdon consistently batted in the .260s for the next several seasons.[1] He led all NL center fielders in assists in 1959 with 16, and in double plays turned with five.[10] In 1960, Virdon, along with right fielder Roberto Clemente, shortstop Dick Groat, second baseman Bill Mazeroski, and third baseman Don Hoak, formed a strong defensive unit for the Pirates,[11] and they reached the 1960 World Series, where they faced the New York Yankees. Virdon batted .241 during the seven game series. In the deciding Game 7, he hit a ground ball that struck Yankees shortstop Tony Kubek in the throat after taking an unpredictable bounce, enabling Virdon to reach base safely. This started a rally for the Pirates that culminated in Bill Mazeroski's home run that won the series for Pittsburgh.[1][12][13]

Virdon led the NL in triples with 10 during the 1962 season.[14] That year, he won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award.[1] He struggled in the 1964 season, batting only .243.[15] Though his batting average improved to .279 in the 1965 season, Virdon retired after the season due to his desire to become a manager.[16] Virdon retired with 1,596 MLB hits[17] and a career batting average of .267 with 91 home runs during his 1,583-game NL career.

Virdon hit an impressive .404 against Sandy Koufax, the highest average of any batter facing the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher.[18]

Coaching and managing career[edit]

Virdon in 1976

Virdon began operating a baseball academy in 1956.[19] After the 1962 season, Virdon coached in the Arizona Instructional League. He coached in the Florida Instructional League following the 1964 season. Following his retirement as a player after the 1965 season, Virdon spent the next two seasons as a manager in the minor leagues for the New York Mets' organization.[1] In 1966, he managed the Williamsport Mets of the Eastern League,[20] and in 1967, he managed the Jacksonville Suns of the International League.[21] He led Williamsport to a 68–72 win–loss record, and Jacksonville to a 66–73 record.[22]

Virdon joined the Pirates' major league coaching staff under manager Larry Shepard in 1968. He also appeared in six games as a player because a number of Pirates players had entered military service.[1] Shepard left the Pirates after the 1969 season, and Virdon interviewed to become the Pirates' next manager.[22] However, the Pirates re-hired Murtaugh, and Virdon remained on Murtaugh's coaching staff.[1] Virdon coached for the Pirates as they won the 1971 World Series.[23] Due to health problems, Murtaugh retired after the 1971 season,[24] and Virdon was named as his successor.[1]

As a manager, Virdon led the Pirates to the 1972 NL East division title, but the Pirates lost the 1972 National League Championship Series (NLCS) to the Cincinnati Reds when Pittsburgh pitcher Bob Moose unleashed a wild pitch in the final inning of Game 5, allowing the winning run to score.[17] The 1973 Pirates now played without Clemente, who died during the previous offseason. Further struggles included pitcher Steve Blass' inability to throw strikes and injuries to Dock Ellis.[24] Virdon clashed with Ellis and Richie Hebner.[25] The Pirates were in third place with a 67–69 record when the team fired Virdon and replaced him with Murtaugh.[1][26]

The Yankees announced the hiring of Dick Williams as their manager for the 1974 season, but American League president Joe Cronin nullified the transaction because Williams was still under contract with the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics demanded prospects Otto Vélez and Scott McGregor as compensation for Williams, but the Yankees decided the price was too steep.[27] Without a manager, the Yankees hired Virdon, signing him to a one-year contract.[28] Virdon led the Yankees to a competitive finish, one game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East division. He won The Sporting News' Manager of the Year Award.[1] The Yankees signed him to a two-year contract after the 1974 season, with a raise from $50,000 to $65,000 per year.[29][30] However, Virdon clashed with Bobby Murcer.[1] He received a death threat due to his preference of playing Elliott Maddox over Murcer in center field.[31] The Yankees struggled in 1975. When Billy Martin was fired as manager of the Texas Rangers during the 1975 season, the Yankees fired Virdon on August 2 and hired Martin.[32] With Yankee Stadium being renovated in the two years he was at the helm (the club played at Shea Stadium instead), Virdon became the only Yankees manager (post-1923) to never manage a game at the Yankees’ venerable ballpark.

The Houston Astros hired Virdon as their manager on August 20, 1975, succeeding Preston Gómez. Tal Smith, who had served as executive vice president for the Yankees, had become the Astros' general manager on August 7.[32] Virdon led the Astros to third-place finishes in 1976 and 1977, but the Astros slipped to fifth place in 1978. The 1979 Astros fell one game short of winning the NL West division championship. The Astros tied the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division championship in 1980, and defeated them in the 1980 NL West tie-breaker game. The Astros played the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 NLCS, losing the series in five games. He again won the Manager of the Year Award in 1980.[33] Due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike, the 1981 season was split into halves with each half's winner appearing in the 1981 NL Division Series. The Dodgers won the first half, while the Astros won the second. In the Division Series, the Dodgers defeated the Astros in five games. During the 1982 season, the Astros fell to fifth place. Virdon was fired during the season and replaced by Bob Lillis.[34][35]

The Montreal Expos hired Virdon as their manager before the 1983 season, replacing Jim Fanning, and signed him to a two-year contract.[36] During the 1984 season, Virdon expressed to Expos general manager John McHale that he did not want to return to the Expos in 1985.[37] With a 64–67 record in August 1984, the Expos fired Virdon, replacing him with Fanning.[38] Gary Lucas, a pitcher for the Expos, felt that they had lost many one-run games because Virdon was too conservative in his managing, not employing the hit and run play and relying on the starting pitcher for too long into the game.[37]

Virdon returned to the Pirates as the hitting coach under Jim Leyland in 1986, Leyland's first season as a manager. He took the position only when he was convinced that he would not succeed Leyland should the Pirates fire him.[39] Following a contract dispute, the Pirates replaced Virdon with Milt May before the 1987 season.[40] Virdon remained with the Pirates as a minor league hitting instructor from 1987 through 1989. He worked as a spring training instructor for the Cardinals in 1990 and 1991, and then rejoined Leyland's coaching staff in Pittsburgh in 1992.[41]

With Major League Baseball expanding by two teams for the 1993 season, in 1992 Virdon interviewed for the managerial positions of both expansion teams, the Florida Marlins and the Colorado Rockies.[42][43] The Marlins instead hired Rene Lachemann, and the Rockies hired Don Baylor.[44][45] In 1994, Virdon interviewed with the Orioles for their vacant managerial position.[46] Virdon left the Pirates after the 1995 season.[41] He became the bench coach for the Astros under first-time manager Larry Dierker in 1997.[41] The Pirates brought Virdon back as their bench coach for the 2001 season under first-time manager Lloyd McClendon.[41][47] He retired from coaching after the 2002 season.[17]

Virdon's career managerial record, over all or parts of 13 seasons, was 995–921 (.519). He also managed in the minor leagues for the Cardinals and the Astros.[1] In June 2012, the Pirates attempted to add Virdon and Mazeroski to their coaching staff,[48] but were rebuffed by MLB for violating the rules on uniformed coaching staffs after one game.[49] Virdon continued to serve as a special outfield instructor for the Pirates during spring training.[50]

Managerial record[edit]

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
PIT 1972 155 96 59 .619 1st in NL East 2 3 .400 Lost NLCS (CIN)
PIT 1973 136 67 69 .493 fired – – – –
PIT total 291 163 128 .560 2 3 .400
NYY 1974 162 89 73 .549 2nd in AL East – – – –
NYY 1975 104 53 51 .510 fired – – – –
NYY total 266 142 124 .534 0 0 –
HOU 1975 34 17 17 .500 6th in NL West – – – –
HOU 1976 162 80 82 .494 3rd in NL West – – – –
HOU 1977 162 81 81 .500 3rd in NL West – – – –
HOU 1978 162 74 88 .457 5th in NL West – – – –
HOU 1979 162 89 73 .549 2nd in NL West – – – –
HOU 1980 163 93 70 .571 1st in NL West 2 3 .400 Lost NLCS (PHI)
HOU 1981 57 28 29 .491 3rd in NL West 2 3 .400 Lost NLDS (LAD)
53 33 20 .623 1st in NL West
HOU 1982 111 49 62 .441 fired – – – –
HOU total 1066 544 522 .510 4 6 .400
MON 1983 162 82 80 .506 3rd in NL East – – – –
MON 1984 131 64 67 .489 fired – – – –
MON total 293 146 147 .498 0 0 –
Total 1916 995 921 .519 6 9 .400
Source:[51]

Personal life[edit]

Virdon and his wife, Shirley, married in November 1951,[52] and lived in Springfield, Missouri. They had three daughters.[53] Together, Bill and Shirley Virdon endowed two scholarships at Southeast Missouri State University, Shirley's alma mater, with one specifically devoted to a baseball player.[52]

A portion of the U.S. Route 63 business route in West Plains from Grace Avenue to US 63 is named "Bill Virdon Boulevard". Virdon was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, and named a Missouri Sports Legend by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.[54] The Independence Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Virdon in 2013.[2] Following Whitey Herzog's election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010, Herzog indicated that he would champion Virdon's cause to the Veterans Committee in future elections.[55]

Virdon died on November 23, 2021, at the age of 90.[56]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Wolf, Gregory H. "Bill Virdon". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Welch, Anvil (July 14, 2013). "Virdon selected for Independence baseball shrine". Joplin Globe. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  3. ^ Broeg, Bob (April 3, 1955). "If Astigmatism and Cracked Knee Didn't Stop Virdon, What Can?". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 26. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  4. ^ "Cards' Virdon Good Bet For Rookie Of Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. United Press International. June 10, 1955. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Bill Virdom Top Rookie". Ellensburg Daily Record. Associated Press. December 3, 1955. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  6. ^ "Bill Virdon Signs For 1956 Season With Cardinals". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. November 22, 1955. p. 8. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Walfoort, Cleon (September 20, 1956). "Bill Virdon of Pirates Now Looms as Batter Aaron Must Beat Out". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 17. Retrieved February 28, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Richman, Milton (September 23, 1974). "Bill Virdon is shaping up real fine". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. United Press International. p. 10. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  9. ^ "1956 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "1959 National League Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  11. ^ Schoenfield, David (January 28, 2016). "The best defensive teams of all time". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  12. ^ Kevin Flowers (October 13, 2010). "1960 World Series Game 7 a 'life-changing experience' for players". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  13. ^ "1960 World Series Game 7: The greatest game ever played". ESPN.com. October 13, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  14. ^ "1962 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  15. ^ Hernon, Jack (November 17, 1965). "Virdon Retires as Pirate Centerfielder". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 28. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  16. ^ Biederman, Lester J. (November 17, 1965). "Bill Virdon Retires As Player And Looks To Managing Career". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 73. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  17. ^ a b c Shrum, Rick (October 6, 2002). "After 53 years, Virdon cuts back on baseball". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  18. ^ "Who's Your Daddy? … Sandy Koufax Edition". November 2, 2019.
  19. ^ Snider, Steve (December 13, 1955). "Cards' Virdon Fast Operator: St. Louis Star Goes From Rookie to Teacher in One Year". The Milwaukee Journal. United Press International. p. 2. Retrieved February 26, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "1966 Williamsport Mets". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  21. ^ "1967 Jacksonville Suns". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Chick, Bob (February 17, 1972). "Brown: Virdon Had To Be Our Man". The Evening Independent. p. 1-C. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  23. ^ Basnett, Chris (April 3, 2014). "Virdon throws first pitch for Cards". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  24. ^ a b Mihoces, Gary (September 7, 1973). "Danny Murtaugh Returns As Manager Of Pittsburgh Pirates; Bill Virdon Is Fired". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  25. ^ "Richie Hebner Won't Apologize to Virdon". Associated Press. August 14, 1973. p. 16. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  26. ^ "Bucs' Virdon Is Replaced By Murtaugh". The Telegraph. United Press International. September 7, 1973. p. 11. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  27. ^ "Virdon Is Yankee Manager". Washington, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 4, 1974. p. B-2. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  28. ^ Richman, Milton (January 2, 1974). "Yankees Give Up On Williams, Hire Bill Virdon As Manager". The Dispatch. United Press International. p. 7. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  29. ^ "Bill Virdon Gets The Last Laugh". Beaver County Times. United Press International. October 25, 1974. p. B-3. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  30. ^ "Bill Virdon Signs 2-Year Yankee Pact". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. October 25, 1974. p. 14. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  31. ^ "Bill Virdon Shrugs Off Death Threat". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. May 30, 1974. p. 40. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  32. ^ a b "Bill Virdon Replaces Gomez". The Nevada Daily Mail. Associated Press. August 20, 1975. p. 11. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  33. ^ "Houston's Bill Virdon Named Top National League Manager". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. November 18, 1980. p. B2. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  34. ^ "Bill Virdon gets the ax". Bangor Daily News. United Press International. August 11, 1982. p. 15. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  35. ^ "Astros Fire Bill Virdon As Manager". Gainesville Sun. Associated Press. August 11, 1982. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  36. ^ "Expos Name Bill Virdon". The New York Times. United Press International. October 13, 1982. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  37. ^ a b "Expos: Virdon out, Fanning in". Beaver County Times. Associated Press. August 31, 1984. p. B4. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  38. ^ "Expos, Virdon agree: it's time for a new boss". The Spokesman-Review. August 31, 1984. p. 22. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  39. ^ Prisuta, Mike (December 18, 1985). "Roberts, Bonilla may be returned". Beaver County Times. p. C2. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  40. ^ "May Replaces Virdon". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 12, 1986. p. 4C. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
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  42. ^ "Bill Virdon interviews for Marlins' job". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 5C. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  43. ^ "At the starting line". The News. September 27, 1992. p. 4D. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  44. ^ "Lachemann to become 1st Marlins manager". Ocala Star-Banner. Scripps News Service. October 22, 1992. p. 1C. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
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  47. ^ Meyer, Paul (October 31, 2000). "Virdon rejoins Pirates' staff: Former manager, player hired as bench coach for McClendon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. D-1. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
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External links[edit]

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