Joe Altobelli

Joseph Salvatore Altobelli was born on May 26, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Cleveland Indians signed him as an amateur free agent in 1951. He remained in their organization until 1957, spending most of it in the minor leagues. Altobelli did have two Major League cups of coffee in 1955 and 1957. He continued to play professionally until 1970, playing in several minor league systems over the years.

His only other stint in the Majors was 41 games of action with the Minnesota Twins in 1961. Altobelli hit .221 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

He was hired to manage the San Francisco Giants in 1977. Altobelli compiled a 255-329 record with the Giants, getting fired in the final weeks of the 1979 season. The Baltimore Orioles hired as manager in 1983, and he led them to a World Series title in his first year on the job. He was fired midway through the 1985 season when Earl Weaver decided he wanted to come out of retirement and manage the Orioles again.

Altobelli passed away in 2013 at the age of 82.

• 1983 World Series champion
  • as manager