Steve Boros

Stephen Boros Jr. (born September 3, 1936, in Flint, Michigan) is a former infielder, coach, manager and farm system official in American Major League Baseball. Boros managed the Oakland Athletics (1983-84) and the San Diego Padres (1986). In both cases, he replaced high-profile, fiery skippers — Billy Martin and Dick Williams, respectively — but Boros, a cerebral graduate of the University of Michigan (where he received a B.A. degree in literature), was not able to post a winning record. His career managing record was 168-200 (.457).

He also had the dubious distinction of getting ejected from a game before the game started. While managing the Padres, Boros had been ejected the night before after a heated argument regarding a home plate call made by umpire Charlie Williams. To Boros's credit, Williams had his back to the plate as Bip Roberts slid across well ahead of a tag, but Williams turned around and called Roberts out, despite not having seen the play at all. The next night, as Boros came out to present the lineup card to the umpire crew (which included Williams at third base), Boros also carried with him a videotape of the botched call from the night before. Williams spotted the tape and once again ejected Boros, this time before Boros could even hand off the lineup card.

Boros signed a bonus contract with the Detroit Tigers in 1957. He was named the most valuable player of the Class AAA American Association in 1960 after he tied for the lead in runs batted in with 119. In his first full MLB season, 1961, Boros appeared in 116 games for the Tigers as a third baseman and hit .270 with 62 runs batted in. It was his finest season. In 1962, Boros slugged three home runs in one game on August 6, but his average fell to .228. He was then shipped to the Chicago Cubs in an offseason trade. After one season in Chicago, he finished his major league playing career with the 1964-65 Cincinnati Reds. In all or parts of seven seasons, he batted .245 with 26 home runs. He batted and threw right-handed.

Boros continued to play at the AAA level through 1969. His managing career began in the Kansas City Royals farm system in 1970. He coached on the staff of Whitey Herzog in Kansas City (1975-79). He also served as a coach with the Montreal Expos (1981-82), before taking over the A's. After his managerial career, Boros returned to the coaching ranks with the Royals (1993-94) and Baltimore Orioles (1995), and was a coordinator of instruction and farm director for several MLB teams, including the Tigers.

References

ee also

* Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game
* 1961 Detroit Tigers season
* University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor

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