Doc Edwards

Howard Rodney Edwards (born December 10, 1936 in Red Jacket, West Virginia) was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years. He earned his nickname of "Doc" as a Navy medic.

Signed by the Indians, he spent some time in the minors before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics for Dick Howser in 1963. After two years, he was traded to the Yankees, and less than a year later, he was sent back to Cleveland. In 1967, he was traded to the Houston Astros, who quickly released him. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies in November for whom he became a bullpen coach. In June 1970, a series of injuries left the Phillies short a catcher and they activated the then 32-year old Edwards. Edwards responded with two-hits and then caught a Jim Bunning-Dick Selma two-hitter.

He coached with both the Phillies and Indians before becoming a manager at the minor league level, including for the Québec Metros in 1977. In 1981, he managed the Rochester Red Wings against the Pawtucket Red Sox in a 33-inning game, the longest in professional baseball history. In 1987, he was hired by the Indians to replace Pat Corrales, but their futility continued (they had only two winning seasons between 1968 and 1987. Edwards was fired with 19 games remaining in the 1989 season and replaced with scout John Hart.

Edwards is currently the field manager for the San Angelo Colts, a team in the independent United League Baseball. He has been managing this team for 6 years. On September 2, 2009, Edwards was awarded the 2009 United League Baseball Manager of the Year award. Doc also managed the Atlantic City Surf to the championship during the inaugural season of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 1998.

1. ^ Deane McGowen (1970-06-10). "Roundup: Phils Activate A Coach Who Delivers". New York Times. p. 54. 
2. ^ Indians fire Manager Corrales and promote Edwards
3. ^ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3898863