Synopsis
Chuck Tanner and the Pittsburgh Pirates by Dale Richard Perelman is a detailed and engaging biography that chronicles the life and career of Chuck Tanner, a beloved figure in baseball known for his optimism and significant contributions to the Pittsburgh Pirates, particularly as their manager from 1977 to 1985. Perelman, an author with a background in English literature and a passion for regional history, draws on extensive research and interviews to paint a vivid portrait of Tanner, a New Castle, Pennsylvania native whose journey from a modest upbringing to leading the Pirates to a 1979 World Series championship embodies the spirit of determination and community connection. The book not only delves into Tanner’s professional achievements but also emphasizes his personal qualities—his humility, generosity, and love for baseball—which made him a revered figure both on and off the field. Through a narrative rich with anecdotes, statistics, and historical context, Perelman captures Tanner’s legacy as “Baseball’s Mr. Sunshine” and his profound impact on the Pirates and the sport at large.
The book begins with Tanner’s early life in New Castle, where his passion for baseball took root. Born in 1928, Tanner grew up with a dream of a professional baseball career, a goal he achieved in 1955 when he debuted with the Milwaukee Braves, famously hitting a home run on the first pitch of his first major league at-bat. Perelman details Tanner’s playing career across four teams—the Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Angels—where he appeared in 396 games, batting .261 with 21 home runs. Though his playing days were respectable but unspectacular, Tanner’s deep ties to his hometown remained strong, exemplified by his organization of a local charity baseball game featuring major leaguers. Perelman uses these early chapters to establish Tanner’s character, highlighting his community involvement and unwavering enthusiasm for the game, which would later define his managerial style.
Perelman then traces Tanner’s transition to management, beginning in the minor leagues with the Los Angeles Angels organization in 1963. By 1970, Tanner earned his first major league managerial role with the Chicago White Sox, where he developed a reputation as a “players’ manager” who could handle complex personalities like Dick Allen. His success in keeping the White Sox competitive earned him the 1972 American League Manager of the Year award. After a stint with the Oakland Athletics in 1976, Tanner’s career took a historic turn when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for catcher Manny Sanguillén and $100,000, a rare instance of a manager being part of a trade. Perelman vividly recounts Tanner’s arrival in Pittsburgh, replacing the late Danny Murtaugh, and his immediate impact in fostering an aggressive, dynamic style of play that emphasized pitching, hitting, and base-running.
The heart of the book focuses on Tanner’s tenure with the Pirates, particularly the 1979 season, when he led the team to a dramatic World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles in a seven-game series, overcoming a 3-1 deficit. Perelman details how Tanner’s leadership, paired with the team’s adoption of Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” as their anthem, galvanized players like Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, and Bert Blyleven. Tanner’s innovative use of relief pitcher Goose Gossage revolutionized the role of the closer, contributing significantly to the team’s success. The narrative is enriched with player perspectives and memorable anecdotes, such as Tanner witnessing tightrope walker Karl Wallenda’s fatal fall in 1978 and John Candelaria’s playful interaction with a young fan over a hot dog. However, Perelman also addresses challenges, including the Pittsburgh drug trials that exposed drug issues within the team, notably affecting Dave Parker’s performance, and the Pirates’ decline in the early 1980s, culminating in a 104-loss season in 1985 that led to Tanner’s dismissal.
The book concludes with Tanner’s later years, including an unsuccessful stint managing the Atlanta Braves from 1986 to 1988 and his continued involvement in baseball as a scout and senior advisor to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington until his death in 2011. Perelman emphasizes Tanner’s personal life, detailing his friendships, business ventures, and close family ties, including a touching story of his grandson Mat rediscovering a recording of Tanner’s first major league at-bat. Despite minor factual errors noted by reviewers, such as misidentifications of Joe Morgan and Jim Coates, the book is praised for its thoroughness and accessibility, offering a wealth of statistics and insights into Tanner’s strategies and personality. Perelman’s work stands as a tribute to Tanner’s legacy, portraying him as a manager who achieved success through hard work and optimism, leaving an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh Pirates and their fans.