Jimmy Dykes

1. Overview

James Joseph Dykes (November 10, 1896 - June 15, 1976) was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He had a long and impactful career in Major League Baseball (MLB), spanning 22 seasons as a player primarily as a third baseman and second baseman, and 21 seasons as a manager. Dykes is best known for his playing days with the Philadelphia Athletics, where he was a key member of the dynasty that won three consecutive American League pennants from 1929 to 1931 and secured World Series championships in 1929 and 1930. After his playing career, he transitioned into managing, becoming the winningest manager in Chicago White Sox history with 899 victories. Despite his extensive managerial career and accumulating over 1,000 wins, Dykes holds the notable record of never winning a league pennant, reflecting a complex legacy in the sport.

2. Playing Career

James Dykes' baseball playing career began in his youth, progressing through amateur leagues before his extensive and distinguished time in Major League Baseball, where he became a key player for two prominent franchises.

3. Managerial Career

Dykes embarked on an extensive managerial career after his playing days, leading several Major League teams over two decades with a distinctive, often combative, style.

3.2. Philadelphia Athletics (1950-1953)

After his time with the White Sox, Dykes managed for two years in the minor leagues with the Hollywood Stars, the White Sox' top minor league affiliate, from 1946 to 1948. He returned to the major leagues in 1949 as a coach for the Philadelphia Athletics, the team where he spent most of his playing career. On May 26, 1950, a month into the season, he was promoted to assistant manager. It was also announced that Connie Mack would retire after the 1950 season, ending his 50-year tenure, with Dykes slated to succeed him for the 1951 season. However, Dykes effectively became the Athletics' de facto manager for the remainder of the 1950 season, taking primary responsibility for day-to-day operations and game-day management. He split control over most baseball matters with former teammate Mickey Cochrane, who became the general manager. Although Mack, as the sole owner, retained his position as team president, he was largely a figurehead at this point. Dykes remained manager until the end of the 1953 season. During his three seasons managing the Athletics, the team finished sixth, fourth, and seventh, respectively. The 1952 season saw them achieve a 79-75 record, finishing 16 games behind the Yankees. This would be the last .500 season for the Athletics franchise until the 1968 Oakland Athletics season.

4. Memoir

Dykes co-authored a memoir titled You Can't Steal First Base with Charles O. Dexter, which was published in 1967. The book offers insights into his long career in baseball.

5. Personal Life and Character

Dykes was generally well-liked by the players who played under him, as noted in a 1954 news story. Players described him as a manager who didn't speak much but knew how to guide them effectively when necessary. They felt comfortable under his leadership, understanding that he expected them to play well without constantly bothering them. Dykes was also known for his playful personality and was particularly fond of practical jokes, especially using exploding cigars, which he distributed freely. On one occasion, he accidentally handed an exploding cigar to himself, causing it to detonat in his own face in front of the intended victim, an incident he humorously attributed to having "got my hands crossed."

6. Assessment and Controversy

James Dykes' legacy in baseball is complex, marked by both positive contributions as a player and manager, and criticisms, particularly concerning his stance and actions regarding racial integration in the sport.

7. Death

James Joseph Dykes passed away in Philadelphia on June 15, 1976, at the age of 79.

8. Managerial Statistics