Wayne Terwilliger then and now.
Wayne Terwilliger then.
I love that picture with Maury Wills!
He signed his first professional baseball contract, with the Cubs, in September, 1948, one month after Babe Ruth died. He reported to Des Moines Cubs.
In 1949, Twig reported to spring training with the Los Angeles Cubs of the Triple A Pacific Coast League. By August he was the Chicago Cubs starting second baseman.
Terwilliger played nine seasons with five major league teams, mostly as a second baseman. He also played for six minor league teams, and managed 11 minor league teams. During his 12 years as a coach in the majors, he received World Series rings from the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991.
When Terwilliger was 18, he saw action with the Marines in the Pacific during World War II.
Wayne Terwilliger now
Wayne Terwilliger now (as of 2005)
In 2005, Twig became the second man ever to manage at age 80, led the Ft Worth Cats to a league championship, posted a franchise record for wins, was Manager of the Year, got an earring (really?), and published his autobiography “Terwilliger Bunts One”
Player: Cubs (1949-51), Dodgers (1951), Senators (1953-54), Giants (1955-56), KC Athletics (1959-60), and 6 teams in the minors. DETAILS
Coach: Senators (1969-71), Rangers (1972, 1981-85), Twins (1986-94), St. Paul Saints (1995-2002), Ft. Worth Cats (2006-2010). DETAILS
Manager: Managed 12 minor-league teams; 1,224-1,089 record including 2005 Central League championship
As with all the living Brooklyn Dodger players that I have been researching and writing the Then and Now, this was also lots of fun reading about Twig. At the same time I learning about our Boys of Summer.
Twig make a pact with Jim Hollars -the Cats’ chaplain, that if they won the championship, they’d both have their ears pierced. Well Jim’s wife said “Not on your life” but Twig said his wife (Lin) had always joked about him getting his ear pierced.
If you like to get his book look on online or for an autographed copy, send $20 to Terwilliger Bunts One, 1909 Clear Creek Drive, Weatherford, TX 76087
ref: New York Times, www.terwilliger.com