Former big league player, manager and coach Pat Corrales has passed away, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Corrales was 82 years old.
Born in Los Angeles in 1941, Patrick Corrales attended Fresno High School before signing with the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1959. He worked his way up the minor league ladder and made his major league debut in 1964, though only got into two games that year. He would carve out a semi-regular role as a backup catcher in the seasons to come, bouncing to the Cardinals, Reds and Padres.
From 1964 to 1973, he got into 300 games and made 858 plate appearances. He had a batting average of .216 in that time, getting 166 hits, including 28 doubles, three triples and four home runs. He scored 63 runs, drove in 54 and stole one base. The 1970 Reds won the National League West and then defeated the Pirates in the NLCS to advance to the World Series, though they were then defeated by the Orioles. With the O’s up 3-1 in the series and 9-3 in the fifth game, Corrales was sent up to pinch hit for Hal McRae with two outs in the ninth. Corrales grounded out to finish the series and the season, the only postseason plate appearance of his career. (YouTube link via the Orioles.)
After his playing career ended, Corrales shifted into a managerial role, starring with the Rangers in the late ’70s before serving as skipper for Philadelphia and Cleveland. As a manager, he had a record of 572-634 over parts of nine different seasons. His last season as a manager was 1987, but he went on to spend many years as a bench coach, starting with the Yankees. He served in that role for Atlanta for nine years, including the club that won the 1995 World Series. He also served as a bench coach for the Nationals before being hired by the Dodgers as a special assistant to the general manager in 2012.
We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
Rip
RIP
Corales managed many a Braves game after numerous Bobby cox’s ejections.
He played a major role with all the success the Braves had back when he was with them. Rest in Peace
But why has no one mentioned the Kung fu kick
Remember it well. Corrales was no Bruce Lee!
And then Dave Stewart decked him…. An all-timer
It’s on YouTube. He was old school and had his team’s back. You would go to war for someone like that.
The clip is on YouTube. He was old school and had his team’s back. You would go to war for someone like that.
That is a great picture on that card
Rip Pat
He was Bench’s first backup catcher, that’s how I remember him even though he had a nice career as a manager. RIP.
RIP. He had one of the games great nicknames, Pat OK Corrales.
I am.sorry about this
May Pat Corralles rest in Peace
Also, I could have sworn he got a World Series ring as a player, but he did not.
He did get one as coach.
Good man. Remember him well. Condolences to his family.
RIP Pat
Had his baseball card back in the day…..
RIP PAT…..
RIP
His 1973 Topps card was the best.
Great card! Action shot of Corrales on his back after getting bowled over by Fergie Jenkins, of all people. RIP Pat Corrales.