Neil Fiala

Neil Stephen Fiala

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
• School Meramec Community College, Southern Illinois University
• High chool St. John Vianney High School (Kirkwood)
• Debut September 3, 1981
• Final Game September 28, 1981
• Born August 24, 1956 in St. Louis, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Neil Fiala's father, Neil Fiala, Sr., was an infielder in the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals chain in 1952-1953.

Although Fiala only played five games in the majors, all in the same month, he managed to play for two teams: 3 games for the Cardinals and 2 for the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded by the Cards to the Reds, along with P Joe Edelen, in return for veteran reliever Doug Bair, barely a week after his debut. Ironically, both of those teams finished with the best overall record in their division in 1981, but both missed the postseason as a result of the split-season format adopted after the 1981 strike. An infielder in the minors, he never played the field in the big leagues as all five of his appearances were as a pinch-hitter.

Fiala was head coach of Southwestern Illinois College from 1994-2018, winning over 900 games. He resigned at the end of the 2018 season when the school cut a number of positions, including his role as assistant athletic director.

He managed the River City Rascals (Frontier League, independent), 2000-2002, then was the bench coach of the Gateway Grizzlies (Frontier League, independent) 2003-2006

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
2000	River City Rascals	Frontier League	46-36	2nd	Independent Leagues	Lost in 1st round
2001	River City Rascals	Frontier League	46-38	5th	Independent Leagues
2002	River City Rascals	Frontier League	39-45	8th	Independent Leagues