Minor Managers, Major Additions: Iowa Oaks

This will start my series on the minor league managers of the different minor league teams from Iowa.  Today we will start with the Iowa Oaks, the predessessor of the current Iowa Cubs.  Based in Des Moines, Iowa the Oaks existed from 1969-1981.  They were the minor league affiliate of the Orioles, Astros, White Sox and finally the Cubs.  Currently the team still lives on as the Iowa Cubs.  

Of note, there is one rather big name in the list below (Tony La Russa!), and one rabbit trail that I dug into.  Randy Hundley was the coach for half a season, and his son, Todd Hundley, was alive during that point.  Did Todd Hundley live in Iowa for that short period?  So far, no information, so I will lean probably no.  One just a few months there, its more likely he stayed in Illinois during that period.  But maybe?



Jimmy Williams


1969 Iowa Oaks Manager (Orioles Affiliate)

7 cards in TCDB






Sherm Lollar

1970-72 Iowa Oaks Manager (Orioles Affiliate)

86 cards in TCDB






Joe Sparks

1973-75, 77-78 Iowa Oaks Manager (White Sox, Astros Affiliate)

20 cards in TCDB








Loren Babe

1976 Iowa Oak Manager (White Sox Affiliate)

Born in Pisgah, Iowa

2 cards in TCDB








Tony La Russa

1979 Iowa Oaks Manager (White Sox Affiliate)

605 cards in TCDB

As player

As manager

As coach

Baseball Hall of Fame



Pete Ward


1980 Iowa Oaks Manager (White Sox Affiliate)

89 cards in TCDB

As player

As coach



Sam Ewing


1980 Iowa Oaks Manager (White Sox Affiliate)

10 cards in TCDB





Randy Hundley


1981 Iowa Oaks Manager (Cubs Affiliate)

119 cards in TCDB







Roy Hartsfield


1981 Iowa Oaks Manager (Cubs Affiliate)

29 cards in TCDB

As player

As manager




Comments

  1. JonMay 4, 2022 at 5:09 AM

    Fun post. You could always write to Todd Hundley (or tweet him if he's on the Twitter), and ask if he knows whether of not he was in Iowa as a baby.

    ReplyDelete

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