Top 5 Winningest Managers
Top 5 Winningest Managers in MLB History
Baseball Managing is one of the few jobs where you don’t have to retire at 65! Whilst the modern trend is for younger managers, Bruce Bochy is still going at the age of 68 with the Texas Rangers. He won the World Series with them in 2023 and won 3 World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants. He is the 11th Manager to win 2,000 games.
Here are the top 5 winningest managers of all time:
1. Connie Mack - 7,755 games, 3,731 wins (.486 winning percentage)
Cornelius McGillicuddy (December 22, 1862 – February 8, 1956), but better known as Connie Mack, was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts. Incredibly, he managed the Philadelphia Athletics for their first 50 years in existence from 1901 to 1950. He was also a part owner for this entire time through to 1954. Mack previously played 10 seasons in the majors, mainly for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a catcher. He was admitted to the MLB Hall of Fame in 1937. One of his most famous quotes is: “The first thing any man has to know is how to handle himself. Training counts. You can’t win any game unless you are ready to win.”
2. Tony La Russa - 5,387 games, 2,884 wins, (.535 winning percentage)
Anthony La Russa Jr. was born on October 4, 1944 in Tampa, Florida. His MLB career spanned from 1963 to 2022, in several roles. He served for a total of 35 years as Manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. La Russa guided his teams to 3 World Series titles, 6 league championships, and 13 division titles. La Russa previously played parts of 5 major league seasons for Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs. He was admitted to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2014. One of his most famous quotes is: “There are always distractions, if you allow them.”
3. John McGraw - 4,769 games, 2,763 wins (.579 winning percentage)
John Joseph McGraw (April 7, 1873 – February 25, 1934) was born in Truxton, New York. McGraw managed the Baltimore Orioles in 1899 and from 1901-1902 and then the New York Giants from 1902-1932. He won 3 World Series titles with the Giants. As a player he debuted in the Major Leagues at the age of 18 in 1891 and played his last game in 1906. McGraw finished with a remarkable career batting average of .334. He was admitted to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2014. One of his most famous quotes is: “My boy, one small breeze doesn’t make a windstorm.”
4. Bobby Cox - 4,708 games, 2,504 wins (.556 winning percentage)
Robert Joe Cox was born on May 21, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He first managed the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He rejoined the Braves in 1986 as a general manager. He moved back to the manager’s role during the 1990 season and stayed there until his retirement following the 2010 season. Cox led his teams to the post-season 10 times and the Braves to the World Series championship in 1995. The Braves have since retired No. 6 in his honor. Cox holds the dubious all-time record for ejections in MLB with 158 (plus an additional 3 post-season ejections). Cox had a brief playing career with the New York Yankees in 1968-1969, mainly as a 3rd Baseman. Cox was admitted to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2014. One of his most famous quotes is: “If I were on the field, I’d want the manager sticking up for me. Sometimes players are dead wrong, ranting and raving, but you stick up for them. They appreciate that.”
5. Joe Torre - 4,329 games, 2,326 wins (.538 winning percentage)
Joseph Paul Torre was born on July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York City. Torre’s managerial career spanned 29 seasons, beginning in 1977 as a player-manager for the New York Mets. He then managed for the Milwaukee Braves, St Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had his greatest success with the Yankees winning 4 World Series and had a winning percentage of .654. Torre had a decorated player career featuring 9 all star appearances , a gold glove in 1965 and the National League batting average and most RBI’s in 1971. The Yankees have since retired No. 6 in his honor. Torre was admitted to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2014. One of his most famous quotes is: “I’m not sure if I’d rather be managing or testing bullet proof vests.”