Ozark and Kalas
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Ozark and Kalas
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I received a couple of emails asking me for the link to the Harry Kalas story I teased on yesterday's blog. So, here it is.
Also, I'm sure most of you have heard that Danny Ozark passed away today at the age of 85.
Here is some reaction sent by the Phillies:
“Danny was a great human being. He was first class and a fine gentleman who really cared deeply about his players and his friends. His patience with some of the Phillies young players in 1973-75, particularly with Mike Schmidt, really paid off as the Phillies got to the postseason in 1976, 1977, and 1978 and eventually won the World Series in 1980 after he left. I do believe Danny had a big impact in Schmidt’s career by staying with Mike during his struggling rookie season,” Phillies Chairman Bill Giles.
“He not only was a solid baseball man but a truly fine gentleman. The contributions Danny made as a manager in the 1970s are immeasurable. He taught the players how to play baseball. The entire Phillies family sends its deepest sympathy to the Ozark family. We have lost a very dear friend, someone who loved the Phillies,” President David Montgomery.
“Our family is deeply saddened by the news that Danny passed away. Danny was more than a baseball manager, he was a genuine human being. We would not have had the success in the ‘70s if it wasn’t for him. He taught those guys how to play the game,” former Phillies president Ruly Carpenter.
“I was saddened by the news of Danny's passing. He was a good friend, my first major league manager, played a major role in early years my career, and was instrumental in building us into prominence in the mid-1970's. He brought a wealth of baseball experience from his years with the Dodgers to Philadelphia and we were fortunate to have him as our leader throughout that time. My wife and I extend our deepest sympathy to Ginny and the Ozark family,” Mike Schmidt.
“Danny was the guy that took us from last to first. He was the perfect manager for the Phillies in the 70's. He had the patience of Job and helped all of us grow up as men and players. He was a wonderful man. He will be missed but his legacy will live on,” Bob Boone.
“It is sad to see another fraternity brother from baseball pass. He brought and taught us a lot of good baseball in the 70’s. He ended up being the calm before the storm. Our condolences to Ginny and the entire Ozark family,” Greg Luzinski.
“He was the perfect manager for that team of evolving stars in the 70's and he never seemed to let anything bother him. When he was replaced by Dallas Green in 1979, he handled his dismissal with dignity and went home to play golf and spend the rest of his years with Ginny. He was a friend and will be missed,” broadcaster Chris Wheeler.
Um...Schmidt played at the tail end of 1972, so his first major league manager was Paul Owens, not Danny Ozark.— Hamhock Jones- Great line by the Bull: "He was the calm before the storm." I guess he was referring to Hurricane Dallas Green.— phink
I loved Danny Ozark and God bless his soul, but he presided over a potential dynasty-in-process with those Phillie teams of the mid and late 70s and could not get them over the hump to the next level {a-la Bobby Cox in the last 15-17 years}. The 1980 team that Hurricane Dallas rode to the championship was no better than any Phillies team from 76 to 79, and that 79 team was decimated by injuries. Yet the 1980 team won it all. Green was like Dick Williams--could take a team to the top short-term, but would soon come to be hated by everyone in the clubhouse. The perfect manager is a cross between Dallas and Danny AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE NOW! And to repeat, God bless you Danny-every minute you and us Phillie fans spent together was better than the last.
