The Giants announced that former big league player and manager Roger Craig has passed away. He was 93 years old.
“We have lost a legendary member of our Giants family,” said Larry Baer, Giants president and chief executive officer in a press release from the club. “Roger was beloved by players, coaches, front office staff and fans. He was a father figure to many and his optimism and wisdom resulted in some of the most memorable seasons in our history. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Carolyn, his four children, Sherri Paschelke, Roger Craig Jr, Teresa Hanvey and Vikki Dancan, his seven grandchildren, his 14 great grandchildren as well as his extended family and friends.”
Craig was born in Durham, North Carolina and began his professional career when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. A right-handed pitcher, he spent some time in the minors but military service during the Korean War prevented him from playing in 1952 or 1953. He made his major league debut in 1955, tossing 90 2/3 innings with a 2.78 ERA. The Dodgers won the pennant that year and faced the Yankees in the World Series. Craig started Game 5 and tossed six innings of two-run ball, earning the victory and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead. The Yanks would go on to win Game 6 but the Dodgers eventually won the deciding game and became champions. He went on to spend a further six years with the Dodgers, sticking with them as they moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and through the end of 1961, largely serving as a starter but also working out of the bullpen. They won another World Series title in 1959.
His tenure with the Dodgers ended when he was selected by the Mets in the 1962 expansion draft, making him one of the original Mets. The team fared poorly in their first two seasons but Craig was one of the more reliable members of the club, tossing over 230 innings in both 1962 and 1963. He gradually transitioned into more of a relief role in the next few years, pitching for the Cardinals in 1964, the Reds in 1965 and the Phillies in 1966. He won a third World Series ring with the Cards in 1964, tossing five scoreless relief innings as his club beat the Yankees in seven games.
That was his last season as a player but he quickly moved into other baseball roles. He became a scout and minor league manager with the Dodgers before being hired as the first pitching coach of the Padres, taking that role in their inaugural 1969 season. He stayed with the Padres for many years and also coached with the Astros before returning to the Friars. Just before Opening Day in 1978, Padres manager Alvin Dark was fired and Craig was put into the Skipper’s chair. They had a solid 84-78 showing that year but dropped to 68-93 the year after, leading to Craig’s firing.
Craig then joined the Tigers as a pitching coach for several years before being hired as the manager of the Giants late in 1985. That season saw the club finish with a losing record for the third straight year but they turned things around from there. They won 83 games in 1986, the first of five straight winning seasons. They won the National League West division in 1987 and 1989, losing the NLCS to the Cardinals in the former and the World Series to the Athletics in the latter. It was during this time that he earned the nickname “Humm Baby” that stuck with him from that point forward. The club’s fortunes tailed off in the next few years and Craig was fired after the 1992 season.
Craig’s playing career resulted in 1536 1/3 innings pitched with 803 strikeouts and a 3.83 ERA. On top of that, he had many postseason accolades and won three titles during his playing career. He then went on to have a lengthy coaching career, winning another title in that capacity while with the Tigers in 1984. As a manager, he went 738-737 overall but 586-566 with the Giants, leading that club to the postseason twice and the World Series once. We at MLB Trade Rumors join in the rest of the baseball community in sending condolences to his family, friends, fans and colleagues who are mourning him today.
Baseball lifer, remember him well as pitching coach and manager. Condolences to his family.
Craig was the epitome of both a great coach and manager. Shame he had to pitch for one of baseball’s worst teams though
RIP
The epitome of “baseball lifer”. A long, decorated career involving all facets of the game. RIP.
Gotta be one of the last guys around with rings from both Brooklyn & LA with the Dodgers. I’m a little younger and primarily remember him from being the manager of the Giants when they played the Cubs in the NLCS in 1989, and later the Battle of the Bay/Quake series with the Giants & A’s, mainly during the period when I got into baseball in the mid 80s. RIP Mr. Craig.
Just Sandy Koufax and Carl Erskine remain from that 1955 team.
As an Astros fan, Roger Craig was a legend. He reinvented Mike Scott by teaching him the split fingered fast ball. That provided us with one of the most dominant pitchers in our franchise history, Would have beat the Mets in the 1986 NLCS if we could have got to him for Game 7.
He may also have taught Scott to scuff the ball. According to a friend who played in the 1980s, every one of the Astros’ starters cheated in those years.
Amazing to think how one of the most famous World Series – 1986 – came so close to being different. Mike Scott didn’t pitch a game 7 and the Angels were not only up 3-1 against Boston but 1 strike away.
That entire postseason was absolutely incredible. Every single series could have easily ended differently and was full of suspense. Best postseason ever in my opinion.
He seemed to be one who respected the purity and simplicity of the game more than many. Mad respect, RIP.
Was he? I heard that he may have taught Mike Scott and other pitchers how to cheat by scuffling the ball.
Blue Baron has nothing better to do but cast aspersions on a dead man. Pathetic.
Remember when I asked for your opinion and hostility? Me neither.
It’s not me casting aspersions. A guy I know who played in the 1980s told me that Scott and the other Astros’ starters were cheating at the time.
I am fairly certain he knows more about it than you.
Right Buddy. You’re a stand up guy attacking a dead man’s reputation in an article about his life and career. GTFOH.
Facts are facts. This guy played in the NL in 1986, and his team faced the Astros 18 times. He would have known if their pitchers were cheating.
And don’t worry about Craig’s feelings. He won’t read this.
Blue Barren, you told me to let you know when you were being a poo poo head again and that time is now.
Mr. blue baboon – you sir are a donkey.
You think you are clever? Bad baboon.
Blue Baron –
Even if the story was true, who cares? That’s what they did in the 80’s and 90’s.
Man they did that before then, since the game of baseball came around there have been players trying to get an edge, some were just a little less Suttle about then others (looking up at you G. Perry ).
I seriously doubt that!
Roger was a “stand up guy”.
Your timing is a bit off.
You make some interesting comments on this forum.
But, it would have been better if you let the man, his family, friends and fans have his memorial and funeral before you trotted out unsupported and unsubstantiated allegations that this widely admired man cheated on the baseball field.
It is like standing up at the guy’s wake of funeral and bringing up bad, negative stuff that has never been alleged and just “raining on the man’s parade”.
There were never any allegations that Roger Craig cheated as a player, a coach and as a manager.
One guy who tells you he is an ex player( very doubtful).
This “barstool” allegedly ex MLB player trying to connect himself to a legendary player, coach and manager by disparaging his reputation) and has an ax to grind because he may not have had the talent to be a significant player and/or contributor to some great Houston Astros teams?!
I don’t believe you and I question the credibility of your source.
Cheaters as a general rule, are not just one time only and never anywhere else.
It has been proven that baseball cheaters leave a long pattern of cheating until they are caught and then sometimes continue cheating until the consequences are too great and they are forced to stop.
There has never been any evidence and there has never been any allegations that Roger Craig cheated with the:
:Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, Padres, Giants, Tigers and more teams.
Stop passing along bogus, unsubstantiated false rumors about baseball legend Roger Craig.
It is in bad taste.
Rest in Peace to Roger Craig baseball legend as a player, coach, manager.
Is he in the Hall of Fame?!
If not, Roger’s complete body of work as a player, coach and manager would certainly qualify him for very serious consideration.
Everywhere Roger Craig went as a player, coach and manager, his players and teams performed at peak and higher levels than before his arrival.
Craig made players, coaches, managers and teams look significantly better
as a result of his own efforts.
Roger’s efforts with the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants were especially noteworthy.
He taught many of his pitchers the split fingered fastball
including Hall of Famer Jack Morris.
Roger was the master of the perfectly legal split fingered fastball.
That pitch helped make both the Detroit Tigers and the SF Giants better pennant contending and championship caliber ballclubs.
And, Roger Craig was a very humble man who made friends where ever he went in baseball and in life.
Roger Craig certainly had a well lived life that his family, friends and fans can be justifiable proud of!
SportsFan, unfortunately when the “whole body of work” is an average player and and average manager (and please don’t think I’m knocking him just going purely by thr numbers not the man) the HOF doesn’t put it together to put those types of people in.
That being said, it would be kind of cool to have a wing in the HOF that was for these baseball lifers, that played a number of years and coached/scouted/managed a number of years and maybe can’t make it in the hall based on either part of their baseball life, but still should be recognized for their overall contributions to the game.
I was 19 when he helped coach the Tigers to the 1984 World Championship. Craig seemed ancient to a kid like me, but he was younger than I am now! RIP.
I was 19 yrs old that magical summer in Detroit in 1984!
God bless Roger Craig for helping bring the Tigers a championship! My heart felt condolences to his family.
.
He pitched great in 1962 and won 25% of Mets wins, with a 10-24 record.
He pitched great in 1962 and won 25% of Mets wins, with a 10-24 record..
He certainly didn’t win any of their losses!
bb? know you should shut your face.
Rest in peace skipper! Humm baby in heaven
Roger, Roger. A good, long life. Nothing to be sad about, celebrate the life. RIP.
93 wow. Long life. RIP Mr.Craig.
I remember him as pitching coach for the Tigers in ’84. He put together one of the first deep bullpens with Willie Hernandez, Aurelio Lopez, Doug Bair and Bill Scherrer. He was able to get more out of Juan Berenguer than anyone had previously. With him taking care of the pitching staff and Sparky in the dugout, they put together one memorable season for this fan. Always the gentleman, his family should be proud of his accomplishments in baseball, and in life.
GM Bill Lajoie got Sparky and Roger the players.
Roger was one of the very best at getting the most out of his players on the pitching staff and in the pen.
RIP
Since September 18th 1985 the Giants have had only 5 mangers:
Roger Craig (1985-1992)
Dusty Baker (1993-2002)
Felipe Alou (2003-2006)
Bruce Bochy (2007-2019)
Gabe Kapler (2020-present)
Remarkably few when you consider teams that didn’t even exist at that time have had more.
R.I.P. Roger
FOREVER GIANT
HUMM BABY
ROGER CRAIG ⚾️
A real baseball legend and a true gentleman. Thanks for everything Skip. You were a great Giant of all time.
Humm Baby!
Loved that man.
All respect and condolences to his friends and family. RIP Mr. Craig
RIP Roger…..
RIP Humm Baby
It’s always a blast to look at those old pitching stats from decades ago and see how few strikeouts they had per inning…..
RIP RC…you are heading upstairs as a well respected player, coach, manager and all-around great person.
The guru of the split fingered fastball. One of my favorite memories was from a Giants/Cardinals game in the late 80’s. There was a lot of bad blood between the two teams back then and in this game it came to a boil and both benches emptied. Roger and Whitey Herzog ended face to face in the middle of the scum. Words were exchanged and the two of them…in their late 60’s at the time…nearly came to blows and had to be separated, which calmed the situation down because the players on both sides couldn’t keep from laughing. RIP Humm Baby
scrum
Back when teams stole bases, bunted, and hit and ran, Mr Craig was known in baseball’s inner circle for his ability to steal signs. He had a photographic memory and if he saw a sign from the manager or from the 3B coach one time, he had you.
I remember Craig from 1989 managing the Giants past the best Cubs team of my youth (yes better than 84) to the World Series. That was the year they played the A’s and had that big earthquake. Really didn’t think they were going to beat that Cubs team. They were pretty identical teams though. Right down to the old timer managers Don Zimmer and Roger Craig.
First Giants manager I remember. Definitely a baseball lifer.
RIP.
He was the Mets’ inaugural opening day starter, April 11, 1962 in St. Louis.
Roger. One of the best Over and out.
Sparky Anderson couldn’t manage pitchers. Roger Craig was the true hero of the 1984 Tigers. He brought back tge split finger fastball and held those pitching staffs together. I always felt the Tigers should’ve kept Roger Craig and let Sparky go play fool elsewhere.
Sparky a Hall of Fame Manager.
Roger one of the best pitching coaches ever and a great player and Manager.
Led the league in shutouts in ’59. Went 15-46 in two years with the Mets!
R.I.P. Humm baby!
He was pitching coach for one of the all-time best baseball teams ever, Sparky Anderson’s 1984 Detroit Tigers ! Rest in peace, Roger !
RIP Roger Craig.
My favorite Roger Craig bit of trivia – he had a few of those second-generation green seats and chairs that were installed between 1936-1937 at Tiger Stadium in Detroit.
Craig used them at his home in Alpine, CA. Always thought that was cute.
RIP Roger you were a good man
RIP Roger Craig.
My condolences to his family.
Growing up following the Giants in the late 70s and early 80s, I was used to false dawns (1978 and 1982) surrounded by a lot of mediocre baseball from a rudderless team. Roger Craig brought the first period of sustained success I was able to enjoy, turning around a 100 loss team from 1985 into a legitimate challenger for the NL West crown in one year, then winning it the following year, and finally capturing a pennant two years later.
Thank you, Roger Craig. Humm Baby forever!
Great career in an era when pitch counts didn’t exist.
A good guy around San Diego, he coached me as a teen associated with the San Diego School of Baseball. (The school was run/staffed by Glenn Ezell, Roger, Brent Strom, Dave Smith, Dave Garcia, later on Tony Gwynn.) The school held sessions in its early years at the Grossmont College Fields, maybe 15 or so miles away from Roger’s house.
He does take the blame for a lot of ruined arms from the mid to late seventies. I don’t remember what the pitch was, but he taught it to everybody and a lot of injuries came out of it.
I believe it was the screwball.
Roger Craig was a top advocate and guru of the split fingered fastball.
When the split fingered fastball is used correctly, it can make starters and relievers into much better pitchers.
But, you cannot just throw the split fingered fastball on every pitch.
It puts a certain amount of strain on a pitchers arm.
Pitchers who use the split fingered fastball correctly must develop at least 3-4 pitches that are effective at the MLB level that keep hitters guessing and off balance (to minimize strain on the pitchers’ arms.
It is not for every pitcher.
Some pitchers and pitching coaches who over use the split fingered fastball and/or do not use the proper pitching mechanics can injure themselves including their pitching arms and shoulders.
Split fingered fastball is now discouraged because: Injuries, pitchers rely on it too much which can cause injuries if over used,
pitchers do not use proper mechanics with it which can also cause injuries,
It can be very effective, but hard on arms for those reasons.
nytimes.com/2011/10/02/sports/baseball/split-finge…
Thank you for this wonderful tribute and the research it took. We are trying not to get our dauber down, but a huge loss for our family. The outpouring of support from the baseball community has been amazing and overwhelming. ⚾️ Many thanks for warming our broken hearts.