Trailblazing Former Texas Rangers Manager Passes Away

Former Texas Rangers manager Pat Corrales passed away Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced via release.

His most recent position was as a special assistant to the Dodgers.

The Rangers extended their condolences to Corrales’ family via social media.

“I was fortunate to have worked with Pat for more than 30 years at three franchises and he was instrumental in turning all three into championship organizations,” said Stan Kasten, Dodgers President and CEO. “He loved mentoring young players and the number of players he influenced is too long to count. Pat truly loved the game of baseball, and we will miss him.”

Corrales, who passed at the age of 82, was the first MLB manager of Mexican-American descent when he took over the Rangers as its manager for the final game of the 1978 season after Billy Hunter stepped down.

Corrales manned the Rangers for the 1979 and 1980 seasons, amassing a record of 160-164. Texas finished third in the American League West in 1979. The Rangers replaced Corrales after the 1980 season with Don Zimmer.

The Rangers extend their thoughts and prayers to the family of former manager Pat Corrales, who passed away on Sunday night at age 82. Pat was Rangers’ coach from 1976-78 and managed the club from 10/1/78-10/5/80 with 160-164 overall record. He will be missed by the MLB family.
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) August 28, 2023

Corrales later managed the Philadelphia Phillies (1982-83) and Cleveland (1983-87). The Phillies fired him at midseason and his replacement, Paul Owens, led the Phillies to the World Series.

Corrales had a career managerial record of 574-634 and never won a division title or pennant.

He also coached for the New York Yankees (1989), Atlanta Braves (1990–2006) and Washington Nationals (2007–2008, 2009, 2011). He won a World Series ring with the Braves in 1995.

Corrales, who grew up in Fresno, Calif., joined the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 1959. The Phillies called him up in 1964, starting a career that lasted nine seasons. A .216 lifetime hitter, he played for the Phillies, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals before hanging it up in 1973.

He appeared in one World Series with the Reds in 1970, but they lost to the Baltimore Orioles in five games.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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