Hal Lanier

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#fd5a1e
bgcolor2=black
textcolor1=black
textcolor2=#fd5a1e
name=Hal Lanier


position=Infielder
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1942|7|4
deathdate=
debutdate=June 18
debutyear=by|1964
debutteam=San Francisco Giants
finaldate=September 30
finalyear=by|1973
finalteam=New York Yankees
stat1label=AVG
stat1value=.228
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=843
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=273
teams= As Player
*San Francisco Giants (by|1964-by|1971)
*New York Yankees (by|1972-by|1973)As Manager
*Houston Astros (by|1986-by|1988)
highlights=

Harold Clifton Lanier (born July 4 1942 in Denton, North Carolina) is a former infielder, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From by|1964 through by|1973, Lanier played for the San Francisco Giants (1964-71) and New York Yankees (1972-73). He is the son of Max Lanier, a former MLB All-Star pitcher.

In his rookie season Lanier posted a career-high .274 batting average for the San Francisco Giants and was selected for the 1964 "Topps" All-Star Rookie team. A serious beaning in 1965 left him with epilepsy, and he never hit above .233.

In 1968 Lanier led NL shortstops in putouts (282) and fielding average (.979). After that, he moved from second base to shortstop, and finally to third base. He also played in part of two seasons with the New York Yankees.

In a 10-season career, Lanier was a .228 hitter with eight home runs and 273 RBI in 1196 games played.

Following his playing career, Lanier managed in the minors and served as third base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1981-85, including the 1982 World Series and by|1985 National League champion teams. He then went on to manage the Houston Astros from by|1986-by|1988 and had a 254-232 win-loss record. In 1986 he was named NL Manager of the Year by the BBWA and "TSN" for leading the Astros to their Division title since 1980 and the best record (96-66) in team history up to that point

Lanier has managed in the independent Northern League for the last several years with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and currently is with the Sussex Skyhawks of the Can-Am League. The Sussex Skyhawks, coached by Lanier, won the 2008 CAN-AM League Championship 3 games to 0 over the Quebec Capitales. Lanier was also selected as 2008 Manager of the Year by the eight CAN-AM League managers and media representatives.

ee also

*List of second generation Major League Baseball players

External links

* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/L/Lanier_Hal.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lanieha01.shtml Baseball-Reference]
* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Planih101.htm Retrosheet]