Leo Durocher

Leo Durocher – Life, Career, and Legacy

Dive into the compelling life of Leo Durocher (1905–1991): his playing and managing career in Major League Baseball, his fiery personality, his role in baseball’s integration, and his enduring influence on America’s pastime.

Introduction

Leo Ernest Durocher (July 27, 1905 – October 7, 1991), nicknamed “Leo the Lip” or “Lippy,” was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player, manager, and coach.

Durocher is remembered not only for his on-field contributions but also for his outspoken temperament, his influence during baseball’s racial integration, and the phrase often associated with him, “Nice guys finish last”. Over a career spanning many decades in various capacities, he became one of the most colorful and controversial figures in the history of baseball.

This article tells his story—from humble beginnings to the Hall of Fame—and explores his personality, major achievements, challenges, and legacy.

Early Life & Background

Leo Durocher was born on July 27, 1905 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

His family background:

• His parents were French Canadian immigrants from Quebec.

• He was the youngest of four sons.

• In early childhood, he only spoke French; he entered school without knowing English.

As a boy, Durocher lived near Rabbit Maranville, a star shortstop of the era. Maranville taught young Leo how to play the game and gave him his first glove.

He was a good all-around athlete, and at one point he received a scholarship offer to Holy Cross, but the opportunity ended when he was suspended from school after an altercation with a teacher.

Because of this, his path into professional baseball was informal—he began by playing for local semi-professional teams, and eventually drew attention from scouts.

Playing Career

Entry into Professional Baseball

• Durocher began in the minor leagues (Eastern League, etc.) in the mid-1920s.

• He made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees on October 2, 1925, though only for a brief appearance.

• He bounced back and forth between the minors and majors until 1928, when he joined the Yankees more regularly.

As a Player

• Primarily a shortstop (and occasionally second base), Durocher was considered an excellent fielder but a weak hitter.

• His career batting average was .247; he hit 24 home runs and drove in 567 runs over his playing career.

• He was selected to three All-Star games (1936, 1938, 1940).

• He played for several teams:
  • Yankees
  • Cincinnati Reds (after 1930) • St. Louis Cardinals (mid 1933 – 1937) • Brooklyn Dodgers (from 1938 onward)

While with the Cardinals, he was part of the famous Gashouse Gang, and captained the team. He won a World Series as a player with the Cardinals in 1934.

Final Years as Player

By the early 1940s, his playing time diminished. His final MLB playing appearance was in April 1945 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Managerial & Coaching Career

Leo Durocher’s greater fame came as a manager and coach.

Brooklyn Dodgers (1939–1946; 1948)

• In 1939, Durocher became player-manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

• He transformed the Dodgers, leading them to a National League pennant in 1941 (their first in 21 years).

• His managerial style was aggressive and confrontational. He was famous for arguing with umpires and was ejected many times — at retirement, he had nearly 100 ejections, ranking high in MLB history.

• In 1947, he was suspended for the entire season by MLB Commissioner Happy Chandler for “conduct detrimental to baseball,” partly due to associations with gamblers and connections considered improper.

• Despite that, before suspension, he made a notable public stand on integration: he declared that Jackie Robinson would play, saying:

“I do not care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a … zebra. I’m the manager … and I say he plays.”

• After the suspension, he returned in 1948, but the tensions with Brooklyn management led to his leaving and moving to the rival New York Giants.

New York Giants (1948–1955)

• With the Giants, Durocher enjoyed strong success.

• Most notably, he led the Giants to an underdog World Series win in 1954, sweeping the Cleveland Indians.

• He also orchestrated the dramatic 1951 pennant, culminating in Bobby Thomson’s famous “Shot Heard ’Round the World.” Durocher was part of that team’s narrative.

Later Managerial Roles

• After leaving the Giants, Durocher worked as a coach, broadcaster, and returned to managerial roles later:

  • Chicago Cubs (1966–1972): He tried to revitalize that franchise.

  • Houston Astros (1972–1973): He took over late in 1972 and managed a full season in 1973, posting a modest record.

  • Briefly, in 1976, he was associated with a Japanese Pacific League team (Taiheiyo Club Lions), though he left before the season due to health issues.

Managerial Record & Honors

• Durocher won 2,008 games as manager (with 1,709 losses), producing a lifetime winning percentage of .540.

• At the time of his retirement, his win total ranked fifth all-time among managers.

• He was one of the first managers to win at least 500 games with three different clubs.

• In 1994, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (posthumously).

Personality, Controversies & Influence

Leo Durocher’s life was as much about drama and personality as about baseball strategy.

Fiery Temper & "Leo the Lip"

He was known for his sharp tongue, frequent arguments with umpires, and confrontations with authority. His nickname “Leo the Lip” alludes to how outspoken he was.

He was ejected many times; his total ejections when he retired was among the highest in MLB history.

“Nice Guys Finish Last”

Although often attributed to Durocher, the famous phrase “Nice guys finish last” is actually a journalistic condensation of something he said in 1946 about his team’s expected performance: “The nice guys are all over there, in seventh place.” Over time, it morphed into the pithier version.

Durocher later adopted the phrase as part of his public persona.

Gambling Associations & Suspension

His relationships with gamblers, night life, and alleged associations with shady characters contributed to the 1947 suspension. The commissioner considered his conduct detrimental to the game.

There were rumors of gambling and card hustling; Durocher reportedly enjoyed the card table and was friendly with figures tied to game-playing culture.

Role in Baseball Integration

Perhaps one of his more consequential stances was in championing Jackie Robinson’s entry into MLB. During spring training in 1947, some players expressed opposition to Robinson joining the Dodgers. Durocher made it clear that dissenters would not be tolerated, declaring Robinson must play.

This action, while complex and sometimes controversial in its motivation, positions Durocher as a figure who, in a moment, acted decisively to support integration in the league.

Off the Field & Media Roles

• After his managerial stints, Durocher worked as a color commentator for NBC’s MLB broadcasts and hosted shows such as The Colgate Comedy Hour and Jackpot Bowling.

• He also made cameo appearances as himself in television programs like The Beverly Hillbillies, The Munsters, Mr. Ed, and What’s My Line?

Legacy & Impact

Leo Durocher’s footprint on baseball is multifaceted:

1. Winning & Longevity
   His 2,008 managerial wins placed him among the best in history, and his ability to manage multiple franchises successfully speaks to his adaptability and strategic acumen.

2. Cultural and Personality Influence
   His outspoken, confrontational style added drama and narrative to the game. He remains a reference point for “firebrand” managers.

3. Racial Integration
   His stance in support of Jackie Robinson, while not without complication, remains a key moment in baseball’s move toward inclusion.

4. Myth & Memory
   The phrase “Nice guys finish last,” whether he coined it or not, is inseparable from his legend. He exemplifies the idea that ambition, toughness, and competitive drive define the managerial role—especially in mid-20th-century baseball.

5. Hall of Fame Recognition
   His posthumous election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994 ensures that his contributions—controversial and all—are enshrined among the greats.

Selected Quotes & Reflections

• “Look at Mel Ott over there — he’s a nice guy, and he finishes second. Now look at the Brat (Eddie Stanky) … He can’t hit, can’t run, can’t field. He’s no nice guy, but all the little son-of-a-bitch can do is win.” (Attributed, reflecting his mindset)

• The condensed slogan “Nice guys finish last” (though not literally spoken by him) has become entwined with his persona.

Lessons from Leo Durocher

• Personality can shape legacy. Durocher’s boldness and willingness to fight made him memorable—but also brought risk and controversy.

• Success demands both strategy and spirit. His tactical know-how, combined with competitive intensity, enabled him to lead different teams to success.

• Stands matter. In moments of social change (e.g. integration), leadership requires more than passive acceptance—it demands action.

• Legend grows around myth. The stories, exaggerations, and condensed quotes around Durocher show how public memory often blends fact and narrative.

Conclusion

Leo Durocher was far more than a baseball manager. He was a theatrical figure whose life was full of outsized moments, moral ambiguities, and a fierce commitment to the competitive ethos of the game. He played, managed, argued, and embodied an era when baseball was as much about character as it was about stats.

While he was sometimes polarizing, his impact is undeniable. The phrase “Nice guys finish last”, the 1954 World Series with the Giants, his ejections, his support for Jackie Robinson—all part of a tapestry that makes Leo Durocher an enduring figure in the history of America’s pastime.