Rick Manning is a name that many baseball fans in Cleveland know and love. He is a former center fielder who played for the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) and the Milwaukee Brewers, and a current broadcaster who has been a color commentator for the Guardians telecasts since 1990. In this article, we will take a look at his life, career, and achievements as a player and a broadcaster.
Early Life and Draft
Rick Manning was born on September 2, 1954, in Niagara Falls, New York. He grew up playing baseball and was a standout athlete in high school. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians as the second overall pick in the 1972 MLB draft, according to Wikipedia He signed with the Indians and began his professional career in the minor leagues.
Major League Career
Manning made his major league debut with the Indians on May 23, 1975, at the age of 20. He quickly established himself as a reliable center fielder with a strong arm and a good glove. He won the American League Gold Glove Award in 1976, according to Wikipedia He also showed some offensive skills, hitting for average and stealing bases.
Manning played for the Indians until 1983, when he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers along with Rick Waits for Gorman Thomas, Jamie Easterly, and Ernie Camacho, according to Wikipedia He played for the Brewers until 1987, when he retired from playing at the age of 33. He had a career batting average of .257, with 56 home runs and 458 runs batted in.
Some of the highlights of his playing career include:
- Catching the final out of Len Barker’s perfect game on May 15, 1981, against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Wikipedia.
- Hitting a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the Indians on August 26, 1987, as the Brewers won 1-0. However, he was booed by the Brewers fans because Paul Molitor was on deck and looking to extend his 39-game hit streak, according to ESPN
- Being involved in a controversial trade that sent his teammate and future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley to the Boston Red Sox in 1978. Manning had an affair with Eckersley’s wife, Denise, whom he later married and divorced, according to Playerswiki
Broadcasting Career
Since 1990, Manning has been a color commentator for the Guardians telecasts on Bally Sports Great Lakes (formerly SportsTime Ohio), alongside Matt Underwood. He has the longest tenure of any television announcer in team history, according to Wikipedia He also occasionally provides color commentary on regional broadcasts for Major League Baseball on FOX, mainly when FOX shows a Guardians game, according to Wikipedia.
Manning is known for his insightful analysis, humorous anecdotes, and friendly rapport with Underwood and the fans. He often shares stories from his playing days and gives tips on how to play the game. He also interacts with fans on social media and participates in charity events.
Some of the awards he has received as a broadcaster include:
- The BBWAA (Baseball Writers’ Association of America) Good Guy Award in 1980, according to Wikipedia.
- The Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Excellence in Broadcasting Award in 2014, according to Oneworldinformation
- The Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame induction in 2017, according to Wikipedia
ughter Jessica Manning from his previous marriage with Denise Eckersley. He enjoys golfing, fishing, and spending time with his family.
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