Who Used Heart Attack? Me. RIP Lou

Yankees longtime PA announcer Bob Sheppard died at the age of 99 last week. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died of a heart attack a few days later. Those deaths were significant and received copious amounts of coverage from the media. Sadly, there was a big death in baseball this past weekend but it received very little coverage.

Beloved Cleveland Indians manager Lou Brown died on Friday in Costa Mesa, CA at the age of 70 because of cancer. Brown was 253-233 over his three year managerial career, leading the Indians to a divisional crown and AL pennant in two of his three years. His strong run as Cleveland’s skipper was cut short because of health reasons and the Indians haven’t seen the success they had under Brown since the torch was passed to Jake Taylor.

Under Brown’s leadership, the Indians saw Willie Mays Hayes win the team’s first Rookie of the Year Award since Joe Charboneau was so honored in 1980. Similarly, Brown’s personal work with Rick Vaughn helped Cleveland see its first Cy Young winner since Gaylord Perry in 1972. Lou never received much consideration for the Hall of Fame because of his short career but he was headed for a plaque in Cooperstown.

Lou Brown famously clashed with owner Rachel Phelps who planned to move the Indians to Florida. If Brown’s inspiration didn’t work, Cleveland may have lost its team. Brown also stood up to prima donna Roger Dorn, pushing the All-Star to new levels by demanding his best efforts.

Its too bad that Lou didn’t last longer as a manager — he could have been one of the greats.

RIP Lou. 70 was far too young.

Sources:
SbB Live
Character actor James Gammon, who got his start in Orlando, dies at 70 [Orlando Sentinel]