Edwards Returning to Colts
Published on October 26, 2007 under United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release
SAN ANGELO, Texas - After two seasons at the helm, baseball legend Doc Edwards' contract was renewed and will be back managing the Colts in 2008. It will mark 51 years in baseball for Edwards, who received the nickname "Doc" from being a Navy Medic. Despite not making the playoffs this season, the Colts made a comeback to finish the second half with a record of 22-23, second in the United League. On the entire season, the Colts finished 44-51. However, a record number of players were sold to major league organizations this season. Pitchers Stephen Artz, Drew Coffey, Luke Massetti, and Chace Vacek, along with infielder Eric Harryman were all signed by major league organizations.
In 2006, the Colts posted a 46-44 record, second in the United League. The Colts reached the best-of-3 semi-final series before losing to the eventual 2006 champions, the Alexandria Aces.
Howard Rodney "Doc" Edwards was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 1958. Edwards made his Major League debut on April 21, 1962 in Yankee Stadium. In his first at-bat, he drew a walk against Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, who he would later be teammates with. Edwards posted a .273 batting average in his rookie season, and would later play for the Kansas City Athletics, the New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies as well.
Doc played his final game with the Philadelphia Phillies on August 23, 1970, and ended up with a .269 career batting average. Primarily a catcher, Edwards had a stellar .985 career fielding percentage. With the Yankees, Doc played with greats such as Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Elston Howard, Tony Kubek, and Jim Bouton amongst others.
After his playing years, Edward made an easy transition into coaching and managing. He would coach for the Phillies and Indians. After the Indians fired Pat Corrales in 1987, Doc received his chance to manage the big league team he started with. Edwards was the skipper for the Indians from 1987 to 1989, putting up a 173-207 record (.455).
Edwards also had a hand in an interesting part of baseball history when he was the manager of Rochester Redwings in 1981. In that season, the longest game in professional baseball history took place, a 33-inning marathon against Pawtucket.
Doc now lives in San Angelo full-time, and is a valued member of the San Angelo community.
The San Angelo Colts are a part of a six-team league that make up United League Baseball. The independent league has teams located in San Angelo, Laredo, Amarillo, Edinburg, and Rio Grande Valley, Texas as well as Alexandria, Louisiana, and began play in the 2006 season.
United League Baseball Stories from October 26, 2007
- White Sox Purchase Gaines' Contract - San Angelo Colts
- Edwards Returning to Colts - San Angelo Colts
- San Angelo to Host ULB All-Star Game in â08 - San Angelo Colts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
