Former Cubs and Yankees manager Gene Michael dies at 79

Posted September 07, 2017 1:00 am

By Ronald Blub AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK — Former Yankees shortstop, manager and executive Gene Michael, who also managed the Cubs for two seasons, has died at 79.

Michael had a heart attack and died Thursday, according to the Yankees.

Michael was a slick-fielding infielder who went on to manage the Yankees. Later, as a front-office executive under George Steinbrenner, he built a team that won four World Series titles in five years. He managed the Cubs in 1986 and 1987.

At 6-foot-2 and about 180 pounds in his playing days, Michael was nicknamed Stick. He hit just .229 with 15 home runs in 10 seasons. Seven were with the Yankees from 1968-74, one of the worst eras in team history.

He made a far bigger impact during two terms as manager and two as general manager. He helped assemble the Derek Jeter-led clubs that won World Series titles in 1996 and from 1998 to 2000. He remained a key adviser to current general manager Brian Cashman.

This is an Aug. 21, 1990, file photo showing New York Yankees general manager Gene Michael at a press conference in New York. Gene Michael, the slick-fielding shortstop nicknamed Stick who went on to manage the Yankees and then as a front-office executive built a power than won four World Series titles in a five-year span, died Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. He was 79. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)

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