Tommy Heath

From BR Bullpen

Heathtommy.jpg

Thomas George Heath

BR page

Biographical Information[edit]

Tommy Heath came up to the majors as a 21-year-old catcher with manager Rogers Hornsby's 1935 St. Louis Browns. He backed up Rollie Hemsley. He came back to the majors in 1937 when Hemsley was still the regular, and stayed around in 1938 when Billy Sullivan was the starting catcher. Heath played no other position than catcher in his 134 major league games.

Most of his minor league career was spent in Toronto and Columbus.

After his playing days, Heath was a long-time manager. He managed the young Hoyt Wilhelm in Minneapolis, and wanted Wilhelm to develop another pitch to go with the knuckleball. Heath also managed the young Willie Mays in Minneapolis.

Heath scouted for the California Angels from 1965 until his death.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs Notes
1947 Trenton Giants Interstate League 88-50 1st New York Giants Lost in 1st round
1948 Trenton Giants Interstate League 83-57 2nd New York Giants League Champs
1949 Minneapolis Millers American Association 74-78 4th New York Giants Lost in 1st round
1950 Minneapolis Millers American Association 90-64 1st New York Giants Lost in 1st round
1951 Minneapolis Millers American Association 77-75 5th New York Giants
1952 San Francisco Seals Pacific Coast League 78-102 7th none
1953 San Francisco Seals Pacific Coast League 88-92 5th none
1954 San Francisco Seals Pacific Coast League 84-84 4th none
1955 San Francisco Seals Pacific Coast League 80-92 6th none none
1956 Sacramento Solons Pacific Coast League 84-84 7th none none
1957 Sacramento Solons Pacific Coast League 63-105 7th none none
1958 Portland Beavers Pacific Coast League 39-45 -- Chicago Cubs -- replaced by Larry Jansen (39-31) on July 15
1959 Portland Beavers Pacific Coast League 78-77 6th Kansas City A's none
1960 Portland Beavers Pacific Coast League 64-90 8th none none
1961 Hawaii Islanders Pacific Coast League 19-30
38-46
-- Kansas City A's -- replaced by Bill Werle (8-2) on June 5/
replaced Bill Werle (8-2) on June 16/
replaced by Bill Werle (3-8) on August 31
1962 Tri-City Braves Northwest League 78-62 1st none Lost League Finals
1963 Tri-City Angels Northwest League 65-75 4th Los Angeles Angels
1964 Tri-City Angels Northwest League 66-74 5th Los Angeles Angels

Related Sites[edit]