View source for Luke Sewell

{{Short description|American baseball player, coach, and manager (1901–1987)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Luke Sewell
|image=L. Sewell, Cleveland, 1924 LOC npcc.11160 (cropped).jpg
|caption=Sewell in 1924
|position=[[Catcher]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|birth_date={{Birth date|1901|1|5}}
|birth_place=[[Titus, Alabama]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|1987|5|14|1901|1|5}}
|death_place=[[Akron, Ohio]], U.S.
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=June 30 
|debutyear=1921
|debutteam=Cleveland Indians
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 1
|finalyear=1942
|finalteam=St. Louis Browns
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.259
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=20
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=698
|stat4label=Managerial record
|stat4value=606–644
|stat5label=Winning %
|stat5value={{winning percentage|606|644}}
|teams=
'''As player'''
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{Baseball year|1921}}–{{Baseball year|1932}})
* [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] ({{Baseball year|1933}}–{{Baseball year|1934}})
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{Baseball year|1935}}–{{Baseball year|1938}})
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{Baseball year|1939}})
* [[St. Louis Browns]] ({{Baseball year|1942}})
'''As manager'''
* [[St. Louis Browns]] ({{Baseball year|1941}}–{{Baseball year|1946}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{Baseball year|1949}}–{{Baseball year|1952}})
|highlights=
* [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1937]])
}}

'''James Luther''' "'''Luke'''" '''Sewell''' (January 5, 1901 – May 14, 1987) was an American [[professional baseball]] player, [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] and [[Manager (baseball)|manager]].<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sewellu01.shtml |title=Luke Sewell statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 16, 2011 }}</ref> He played in [[Major League Baseball]] as a [[catcher]]  for the [[Cleveland Indians]] (1921–1932, 1939), [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] (1933–1934), [[Chicago White Sox]] (1935–1938) and the [[St. Louis Browns]] (1942).<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> Sewell batted and threw right-handed. He was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract">{{cite book |author=James, Bill |title=[[The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract]] |publisher=Free Press |location=New York |year=2001 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newbilljameshist00jame/page/408 408] |isbn=0-684-80697-5 }}</ref>

He spent 10 seasons playing with his brother [[Joe Sewell]], a [[Baseball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] [[shortstop]]. He had another brother named [[Tommy Sewell]], who had one at-bat with the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tommy Sewell statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sewelto01.shtml |access-date=January 18, 2011 |publisher=Baseball Reference}}</ref>

==Baseball career==
Born in the rural town of [[Titus, Alabama]], Sewell grew up wanting to play baseball. He attended [[Wetumpka High School]] and graduated from the [[University of Alabama]] where, he played for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide baseball]] team as an [[infielder]].<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/> He was linked to the Cleveland Indians because his brother [[Joe Sewell]] became their starting [[shortstop]] in [[1920 Cleveland Indians season|1920]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/seweljo01.shtml |title=Joe Sewell statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> When Indians [[Scout (sports)|scout]] [[Patsy Flaherty]] signed Sewell, he insisted that he play as a catcher.<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/> He began the [[1921 Cleveland Indians season|1921]] season with the [[Columbus Senators]] in the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] but, after only 17 [[Minor league baseball|minor league]] games, Sewell made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 30, 1921.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=sewell001jam |title=Luke Sewell minor league statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref>

Sewell served as a reserve catcher, working behind [[Steve O'Neill]] until the [[1923 Cleveland Indians season|1923]] season when O'Neill was injured in an auto accident.<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/> Sewell then played in a [[Platoon system|platoon]] role alongside [[Glenn Myatt]], in which the left-hand hitting Myatt played the team's [[Home (sports)|home]] games at [[League Park]] due to its 290-foot distance to the right field fence, while Sewell played the team's [[Road (sports)|road]] games.<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/> Sewell eventually took over as the Indians number one catcher in the [[1926 Cleveland Indians season|1926]] season, due to his superior defensive skills.<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/> He finished the year with only a .238 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] but, led the American League catchers with 91 [[Assist (baseball)|assists]].<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1926-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1926 American League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref>

In [[1927 Cleveland Indians season|1927]], Sewell had a breakout year, hitting for a career-high .294 batting average with 27 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], 53 [[runs batted in]], and scored 52 [[Run (baseball)|runs]].<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> Sewell questioned [[Babe Ruth]]'s integrity in a game on June 11, {{Baseball year|1927}}. He demanded that [[umpire (baseball)|umpires]] check Ruth's bat after he clouted two straight home runs off [[Garland Buckeye]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjMDAAAAMBAJ&q=luke+sewell+baseball+digest&pg=PA73 |title=The Babe's Phantom 155th Game |author=Simons, Herbert |date=January 1971 |work=Baseball Digest |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> Although he led the league's catchers with 20 [[Error (baseball)|errors]], he also led the league with 119 assists and 71 baserunners [[caught stealing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1927-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1927 American League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> Despite the fact that the Indians finished the season in sixth place, Sewell ranked ninth in voting for the {{Baseball year|1927}} American League [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1927.shtml#ALmvp |title=1927 American League Most Valuable Player Award ballot |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> In [[1928 Cleveland Indians season|1928]], he once again led the league's catchers with 117 assists and 60 baserunners caught stealing and ranked twelfth in voting for the {{Baseball year|1928}} American League Most Valuable Player Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1928-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1928 American League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1928.shtml#ALmvp |title=1928 American League Most Valuable Player Award ballot |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref>

In [[1933 Washington Senators season|1933]], Sewell was traded to the Washington Senators for catcher [[Roy Spencer (baseball)|Roy Spencer]].<ref name="Luke Sewell Trades and Transactions">{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=sewellu01 |title=Luke Sewell Trades and Transactions |publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date=January 23, 2011 }}</ref> He posted career-highs with 125 hits including 30 doubles along with 61 runs batted in as, the Senators under first-year [[player-manager]] [[Joe Cronin]], won 99 games to clinch the American League pennant by nine games over the [[1933 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]].<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSH/1933.shtml |title=1933 Washington Senators |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> During a September game against the Yankees, Sewell made an odd [[double play]].<ref name="Stumbling Down The Stretch">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eC8DAAAAMBAJ&q=luke+sewell+baseball+digest&pg=PA35 |title=Stumbling Down The Stretch |author=Stump, Al |date=October 1959 |work=Baseball Digest |access-date=January 19, 2011 }}</ref> [[Lou Gehrig]] and [[Dixie Walker]] were on base when, [[Tony Lazzeri]] hit a ball to deep right field.<ref name="Stumbling Down The Stretch"/> Gehrig hesitated as he waited to see if the ball might be caught, before heading towards [[home plate]] with Walker right behind him.<ref name="Stumbling Down The Stretch"/> Sewell received the throw from the outfield and [[Tag out|tagged]] both runners [[Out (baseball)|out]] with one sweeping motion.<ref name="Stumbling Down The Stretch"/> Cronin credited Sewell as a major factor in helping the Senators' pitching staff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gus Mancuso Is Important Cog In Giant Machine |agency=Associated Press |work=The Telegraph-Herald |page=8 |date=September 26, 1933 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UmlFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3897,497123&dq=gus+mancuso&hl=en}}</ref> The Senators eventually lost to the [[1933 New York Giants (MLB) season|New York Giants]] in the [[1933 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1933_WS.shtml |title=1933 World Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> In what would be his only postseason appearance, Sewell posted a .176 batting average (3 for 17), with one stolen base, one run scored, and one run batted in during the five-game series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sewellu01.shtml#batting_postseason::none |title=Luke Sewell post-season statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:LukeSewellGoudeycard.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Sewell's 1934 [[Goudey]] trading card]]
Sewell began the [[1934 Washington Senators season|1934]] season with a hand injury and didn't play his first game until June 13.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rain Postpones Opening Battle in Washington |agency=Associated Press |work=St. Petersburg Times |page=2 |date=April 17, 1934 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mF1PAAAAIBAJ&pg=4698,2679751&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=sewellu01&t=b&year=1934 |title=1934 Luke Sewell batting log |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> Two weeks later, he was struck in the head and knocked unconscious by a pitch thrown by [[1934 St. Louis Browns season|St. Louis Browns]] pitcher, [[Bump Hadley]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sewell Injured As Senators Win |agency=Associated Press |work=The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page=14 |date=June 27, 1934 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=prVRAAAAIBAJ&pg=2891,1637525&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> Sewell ended the season with a .237 batting average.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/>

In January [[1935 Chicago White Sox season|1935]], Sewell was traded to the St. Louis Browns, ironically for Bump Hadley.<ref name="Luke Sewell Trades and Transactions"/> The Browns promptly traded him to the Chicago White Sox on the very same day.<ref name="Luke Sewell Trades and Transactions"/> His offensive statistics improved with the White Sox, posting a .285 batting average with 67 runs batted in and, finished second among the league's catchers in assists and third in [[fielding percentage]].<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1935-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1935 American League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> In [[1936 Chicago White Sox season|1936]], Sewell produced career-highs with 5 home runs and 73 runs batted in and, led American League catchers in assists and in baserunners caught stealing.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1936-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1936 American League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> By the first week of June [[1937 Chicago White Sox season|1937]], Sewell had a .316 batting average to earn a spot as a reserve for the American League team in the [[1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1937 All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=sewellu01&t=b&year=1937 |title=1937 Luke Sewell batting log |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS193707070.shtml |title=1937 All-Star Game |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> That year, he put up even better numbers than the consistently good ones he had been posting for a decade. On the season, he had a .269 batting average, with a .343 [[on-base percentage]] and six triples.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> Sewell finished the season ranked fifth in voting for the {{Baseball year|1937}} American League Most Valuable Player Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1937.shtml#ALmvp |title=1937 American League Most Valuable Player Award ballot |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref>

Sewell's batting average dropped to .213 in [[1938 Chicago White Sox season|1938]] and, in December of that year, he was purchased by the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] for $7500.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dodgers Get Luke Sewell |agency=Associated Press |work=The Milwaukee Journal |page=6 |date=December 20, 1938 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aKBQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6805,1770973&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> In April [[1939 Cleveland Indians season|1939]], the 39-year-old Sewell was released by the Dodgers but, promptly signed a contract as a third-string catcher and pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians.<ref name="Luke Is Likely Indians Manager">{{cite news |title=Luke Is Likely Indians Manager |agency=NEA |work=The Tuscaloosa News |page=7 |date=April 26, 1939 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kuc-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5371,5165546&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> The Indians hoped to groom him as an eventual replacement for manager [[Oscar Vitt]] who had fallen from the graces of [[General Manager (baseball)|General Manager]] [[Cy Slapnicka]].<ref name="Luke Is Likely Indians Manager"/> He spent the [[1940 Cleveland Indians season|1940]] season as a pitching coach but, when the Indians decided to hire [[Roger Peckinpaugh]] as their manager for the [[1941 Cleveland Indians season|1941]] season, Sewell accepted the manager's position with the St. Louis Browns, replacing [[Fred Haney]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Replaces Haney as St. Louis Browns' Manager |agency=Associated Press |work=The St. Petersburg Times |date=June 5, 1941 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UeNOAAAAIBAJ&pg=2368,7036566&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> Because of the shortage of major league players during the Second World War, Sewell served as a player-manager during the [[1942 St. Louis Browns season|1942]] season, appearing in six games.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> He played his final game as a player on August 1, {{Baseball year|1942}} at the age of 41.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/>

==Career statistics==
[[File:Senators Bucky Harris is out trying to steal home as Indians catcher Luke Sewell gets ready for the tag. The ump is Tommy Connolly. The Senators batter is Ossie Bluege. Senators beat Indians LCCN2016840501 (cropped).jpg|thumb|280px|left|Sewell (center, foreground) gets ready to make the tag on Washington Senators baserunner [[Bucky Harris]] (right). Umpire [[Tom Connolly (umpire)|Tommy Connolly]] (left) called Harris out at the plate.]]
In a 20-year major league career, Sewell played in 1,630 [[Games played|games]], accumulating 1,393 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] in 5,383 [[at bats]] for a .259 career batting average along with 20 home runs, 698 runs batted in and an [[on-base percentage]] of .323.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> He retired with a .978 fielding percentage.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> As a catcher, Sewell had a strong throwing arm, leading the American League four times in baserunners caught stealing and four times in assists.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/>

Even for the era, Sewell's low [[strikeout]] numbers were remarkable. He never struck out more than 27 times in a season, and his career best was just 16 strikeouts in 451 at-bats in {{Baseball year|1936}}.<ref name="Luke Sewell statistics"/> Sewell held the American League record of 20 seasons as an active catcher until Carlton Fisk surpassed the record with 24 seasons as an active catcher with the Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971–80) and the Chicago White Sox (1981–93).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/sewell.htm |title=Luke Sewell |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers |access-date=January 19, 2011 }}</ref> He caught three [[no-hitter]]s in his career; [[Wes Ferrell]] in [[1931 Cleveland Indians season|1931]], [[Vern Kennedy]] in [[1935 Chicago White Sox season|1935]], and [[Bill Dietrich]] in [[1938 Chicago White Sox season|1938]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/catchnoh.htm |title=Catchers Who Caught No Hitters |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers |access-date=January 19, 2011 }}</ref> In his book, ''[[The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract]]'', baseball historian [[Bill James]] ranked Sewell as the fourth best catcher in the American League during his career.<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/> James ranked [[Mickey Cochrane]], [[Bill Dickey]] and [[Rick Ferrell]] as the top three, all of whom were inducted into the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref name="The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"/>

==Managing career==
[[File:Luke Sewell 1944.jpg|thumb|Sewell during the 1944 season]]
After retiring as an active player, Sewell continued to manage the St. Louis Browns.<ref name="Luke Sewell manager record">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/sewellu01.shtml |title=Luke Sewell manager record |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> He led them to the {{Baseball year|1944}} American League pennant &ndash; the team's only championship in its 52 years in St. Louis, although they lost to the [[1944 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] in the [[1944 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1944_WS.shtml |title=1944 World Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> That year, he managed such players as [[Red Hayworth]], [[Vern Stephens]], and [[Jack Kramer (baseball)|Jack Kramer]], led them to an 89–65 record, and was awarded ''The Sporting News''' Manager of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Is Named Manager Of the Year |agency=United Press International |work=The Victoria Advocate |page=5 |date=December 26, 1944 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CjYcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6086,6749156&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> After a seventh-place finish in [[1946 St. Louis Cardinals season|1946]], Sewell stepped down as the Browns' manager.<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Is Out At St. Louis |agency=Associated Press |work=The Ottawa Citizen |date=September 2, 1946 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YgIvAAAAIBAJ&pg=5032,71603&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref>

In January [[1949 Cincinnati Reds season|1949]] Sewell was hired as a pitching coach by the [[Cincinnati Reds]] and, in October of that year, he took over as the Reds' manager from [[Bucky Walters]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Takes Over Coaching Job |agency=United Press International |work=Eugene Register Guard |date=January 4, 1949 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g7RWAAAAIBAJ&pg=3678,4114452&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Named Cincinnati Manager |agency=Associated Press |work=The Calgary Herald |page=21 |date=October 24, 1949 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uC5kAAAAIBAJ&pg=1869,3247995&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> After two unsuccessful seasons with the Reds, he resigned in July [[1952 Cincinnati Reds season|1952]] and was replaced by [[Rogers Hornsby]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Quits Cincy |agency=United Press International |work=The Telegraph-Herald |page=8 |date=July 27, 1952 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=enVFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3933,4184809&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> Sewell's major league managerial record was 606–644, a .485 winning percentage.<ref name="Luke Sewell manager record"/>

In December {{Baseball year|1953}}, Sewell was hired as manager of the [[Toronto Maple Leafs (International League)|Toronto Maple Leafs]] of the [[International League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=sewell001jam#standard_managing::none |title=Luke Sewell minor league manager statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> He led the team to the league championship in his first season and won the International League Manager of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sewell Voted Top Manager |agency=CP |work=The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix |page=19 |date=September 11, 1954 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UShgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1611,1492818&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> Sewell led the Maple Leafs to a second-place finish in 1955. The team had a .622 winning percentage over his two years as manager. In November {{Baseball year|1955}}, he was named as the manager for the [[Seattle Rainiers]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell New Rainiers' Head |agency=Associated Press |work=Times Daily |page=1 |date=November 13, 1955 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=csktAAAAIBAJ&pg=5267,4796585&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref> In August {{Baseball year|1956}}, Sewell was fired after one season in part due to player discontent over his managerial style.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suds Fire Manager Luke Sewell |agency=Associated Press |work=The Spokesman Review |page=18 |date=August 15, 1956 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QgQrAAAAIBAJ&pg=1023,6159697&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref>

Sewell died in [[Akron, Ohio]] in {{Baseball year|1987}} at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite news |title=Luke Sewell Dies At 86 |agency=Associated Press |work=The Waycross Journal-Herald |page=6 |date=May 15, 1987 |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aVRaAAAAIBAJ&pg=5267,2401652&dq=luke+sewell&hl=en}}</ref>

===Managerial record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Games!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
|-
![[1941 St. Louis Browns season|SLB]]|| {{mlby|1941}}
||110||55||55||{{Winning percentage|55|55}}|| 6th in AL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1942 St. Louis Browns season|SLB]]|| {{mlby|1942}}
||151||82||69||{{Winning percentage|82|69}}|| 3rd in AL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1943 St. Louis Browns season|SLB]]|| {{mlby|1943}}
||152||72||80||{{Winning percentage|72|80}}|| 6th in AL || – || – || – || –
|-style="background:#fdd"
![[1944 St. Louis Browns season|SLB]]|| {{mlby|1944}}
||154||89||65||{{Winning percentage|89|65}}|| '''1st in AL''' || 2 || 4 || .333 || Lost [[1944 World Series|World Series]] ([[1944 St. Louis Cardinals season|STL]])
|-
![[1945 St. Louis Browns season|SLB]]|| {{mlby|1945}}
||151||81||70||{{Winning percentage|81|70}}|| 3rd in AL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1946 St. Louis Browns season|SLB]]|| {{mlby|1946}}
||124||53||71||{{Winning percentage|53|71}}|| resigned || – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|SLB total || 842 || 432 || 410 || {{Winning percentage|432|410}} || || 2 || 4 || .333 ||
|-
![[1949 Cincinnati Reds season|CIN]]|| {{mlby|1949}}
||3||1||2||{{Winning percentage|1|2}}|| 7th in NL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1950 Cincinnati Reds season|CIN]]|| {{mlby|1950}}
||153||66||87||{{Winning percentage|66|87}}|| 6th in NL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1951 Cincinnati Reds season|CIN]]|| {{mlby|1951}}
||154||68||86||{{Winning percentage|68|86}}|| 6th in NL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1952 Cincinnati Reds season|CIN]]|| {{mlby|1952}}
||98||39||59||{{Winning percentage|39|59}}|| resigned || – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|CIN total || 408 || 174 || 234 || {{Winning percentage|174|234}} || || 0 || 0 || – ||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total || 1250 || 606 || 644 || {{Winning percentage|606|644}} || || 2 || 4 || .333 || 
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Major League Baseball player–managers]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{baseballstats|br=s/sewellu01|brm=sewell001jam|retro=S/Psewel101}}
{{baseball-reference manager|sewellu01}}
*[https://cdm16014.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4014coll27/id/65/rec/58 Interview with Luke Sewell] conducted by [[Eugene Murdock]], March 31, 1974, in Akron, Ohio, in 2 parts (2 hours 15 minutes): [https://cdm16014.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4014coll27/id/65/rec/58 Part 1 of 2], [https://cdm16014.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4014coll27/id/66/rec/59 Part 2 of 2]
*{{find a Grave|15096500}}

{{Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback navbox}}
{{St. Louis Browns managers}}
{{Cincinnati Reds managers}}
{{Sporting News Manager of the Year Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sewell, Luke}}
[[Category:1901 births]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players]]
[[Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from Alabama]]
[[Category:Baseball managers]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Alabama]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds coaches]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds managers]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians coaches]]
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[[Category:Columbus Senators players]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Ohio]]
[[Category:Deaths from colorectal cancer in the United States]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball catchers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitching coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball player-managers]]
[[Category:People from Elmore County, Alabama]]
[[Category:St. Louis Browns managers]]
[[Category:St. Louis Browns players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) managers]]
[[Category:Washington Senators (1901–1960) players]]