SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of four-time World Series Champion and former Giants Manager Roger Craig. Craig was 93 years-old.
“We have lost a legendary member of our Giants family.” said Larry Baer, Giants President & Chief Executive Officer. “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 some of the most memorable seasons in our history. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Carolyn, his four children, Sherri Paschelke, Roger Craig Jr, Teresa Hanvey and Vikki Dancan, his seven grandchildren, his 14 great grandchildren as well as his extended family and friends.”
The “Humm Baby” skippered the Giants for eight seasons from 1985-1992, guiding them to a pair of division championships (1987 and 1989) and a National League Pennant in 1989. Craig’s Giants finished above the .500 mark in each of his first five full seasons from 1986-1990 and overall his clubs were 586-566 in his eight-year run as Giants manager. Craig’s 586 wins are sixth-most in Giants history (third-most in San Francisco Giants history) and his 1,152 games as Giants manager are also sixth-most in Giants history behind John McGraw (4,424), Bruce Bochy (2,106), Dusty Baker (1,556), Bill Terry (1,496) and Leo Durocher (1,163).
Overall, the Durham, NC native managed for 10 seasons in the big leagues after getting his managerial start with the Padres from 1978-79. In his 10 seasons, Craig was 738-737 (.500) with a 7-9 record in the postseason (all with SF in 1987 and 1989).
Craig was a right-handed starter and a reliever during his playing days from 1955-1966. He made his Major League debut with Brooklyn on July 17, 1955 and eventually came out west when the Dodgers moved in 1958. He was a Dodger for the first seven years of his MLB career from 1955-1961, turning in his best season as a 29-year-old in 1959 when he went 11-5 with a 2.06 ERA in 29 games (17 starts) with four shutouts. He finished 13th in the MVP voting that year.
After Los Angeles Craig headed back to New York for two seasons with the upstart Mets in 1962-1963 before stops at St. Louis (1964), Cincinnati (1965) and lastly Philadelphia (1966). Over his 12-year playing career, Craig was 74-98 with a 3.83 ERA in 368 games (186 starts) with 58 complete games, seven shutouts and 19 saves.
Craig won three World Series as a player with his first coming in 1955 with the Brooklyn Dodgers as they defeated the Yankees. He was credited with the win in Game 5 after working 6.0 innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He won another World Series with the Dodgers in 1959 and one with the Cardinals in 1964.
Once his playing career was over he had roles as a scout for the Dodgers in 1967 before managing at Double-A in 1968. In 1969, Craig became the first pitching coach in Padres history, spending four years there. He coached with Houston from 1974-75 before going back to San Diego in 1976-77 and was elevated to manager there in 1978. He joined the Tigers as their pitching coach from 1980-84 and won another World Series in 1984 before joining the Giants in 1985.
