Roger Craig, who had the excellence of winning the last game in Brooklyn Dodgers history and the primary game in Mets history and who was also a longtime major league manager, died Sunday.
He was 93.
The Giants, whom Craig managed for eight seasons, announced his passing.
“We’ve lost a legendary member of our Giants family.” Larry Baer, Giants president and chief executive officer, said in a press release. “Roger was beloved by players, coaches, front office staff and fans. He was a father figure to many and his optimism and wisdom resulted in among the most memorable seasons in our history.”
Craig, played 12 seasons within the majors from 1955-66, posting a 74-98 record and three.83 ERA in 186 starts and 368 profession appearances for the Dodgers, Mets, Cardinals, Reds and Phillies.
He spent seven seasons in Dodger blue, including the primary three years of his profession in Brooklyn.
Craig won three World Series, including as a member of the famed 1955 Dodgers.
The North Carolina native was then chosen by the Mets within the 1961 expansion draft and was a member of the franchise’s original team that holds the record for many losses in a season with 120.
Craig lost 24 games that season and posted a 15-46 record overall during two seasons in Flushing with a 4.14 ERA.
When his playing days ended, he became an ideal advocate and teacher of the split-finger fastball — which he taught to Hall of Famer Jack Morris when he was with the Tigers in 1980.
After spending time as a scout and minor league manager with the Dodgers, he became the Padres’ first pitching coach in 1968 and eventually their manager in 1978 — replacing Alvin Dark.
Craig managed San Diego for just two seasons, going 152-177.
He was hired as manager by the Giants very late within the 1985 season. He would manage within the Bay Area for the subsequent eight seasons.
Craig led the Giants to the World Series in 1989, which featured a magnitude 6.9 earthquake during Game 3.
San Francisco was swept by the Oakland A’s in 4 games when the series resumed and Craig was out three seasons later.
“Our heartfelt condolences exit to his wife, Carolyn, his 4 children, Sherri Paschelke, Roger Craig Jr, Teresa Hanvey and Vikki Dancan, his seven grandchildren, his 14 great grandchildren in addition to his clan and friends,” Baer said.
