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Barney Lutz

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Bernard Joseph "Barney" Lutz (August 20, 1915 – July 11, 1966) was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and instructor. An outfielder in his playing days, he batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighed 175 pounds (80 kg). He was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Career

Lutz' playing career extended from 1936 through 1954, with two years (1944–45) missed because of World War II military service. He briefly reached the Triple-A level twice, but spent most of his playing days in the middle rungs of the minor leagues. He became a playing manager in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system in 1949. During his tenure with the Phils, he had his greatest season as the playing skipper of the 1950 Bradford Phillies of the Class D PONY League, batting .389 with 179 hits. In 1953, he switched to the St. Louis Browns' organization and remained in it when the Browns became the modern Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball in 1954.[1]

Lutz focused on managing in the Baltimore system from 1955–60, then became an Orioles scout and coordinator of instruction in 1961. He was considered one of the important behind-the-scenes figures of the Baltimore dynasty of the 1960s and 1970s. Said former MLB general manager Lou Gorman, "Lutz was a throw-back to the old-time scouting breed: tough, hardworking and loyal ... He was one of a kind."[2]

The Barney Lutz Memorial Award

Lutz died at age 50 in Geneva, New York, from a heart attack while scouting a New York–Penn League game, his death occurring during the Orioles' 1966 World Championship season. The Orioles created the Barney Lutz Memorial Award in his memory, given to an Orioles minor league player for excellence.[3] Said one of its winners, former minor league outfielder and manager Bill Scripture, "Barney Lutz, before he died of a heart attack, was one of the most competitive men ever to have worn a uniform. I was glad someone recognized me and compared me to Lutz."[4]

References

  1. ^ Barney Lutz Minor League Statistics & History Baseball-Reference.com
  2. ^ Gorman, Lou, High and Inside: My Life in the Front Offices of Baseball; Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co., Inc., Publishers, page 38
  3. ^ "On a Silver Diamond": The 1969 Season
  4. ^ http://tbebaseball.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F6045-interview-number-three-billy-scripture%2F. Retrieved September 22, 2009. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link‍]
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