Pat Corrales

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Lore & Background

Corrales' playing days were defined by versatility and reliability behind the plate rather than a single starting role. After making his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on July 31, 1964, he spent time backing up legends like Tim McCarver in St. Louis and Johnny Bench in Cincinnati. His career included a trade to the San Diego Padres on June 12, 1972, where he served as Fred Kendall's backup. A defining moment of his playing tenure occurred during the 1970 World Series with the Reds; he was on the roster but did not appear in the series as Cincinnati fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games. His offensive output included a memorable solo home run against Denny Lemaster on June 16, 1965, which capped off a 2-for-4 performance.

In Their Own Story

The source details specific highs and lows of Corrales' managerial journey, beginning with his hiring by the Texas Rangers after Billy Hunter was fired on the last day of the 1978 season. His time in Philadelphia turned contentious; despite holding a 43–42 record and tying for first place in the National League East on July 18, 1983, he was dismissed due to lineup confusion and benching stars like Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose. He found another home with the Cleveland Indians just two weeks later, eventually signing a perpetual contract after the 1985 season before being let go in July 1987. His managerial record across nine years totaled 572 wins and 634 losses.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Corrales' post-playing career, his transition to coaching began with the Texas Rangers in 1976. After managing three franchises, he served as a first base coach for the New York Yankees in 1989 before joining the Atlanta Braves organization. His tenure with the Braves lasted nine years as bench coach. He later moved to the Washington Nationals, serving as a special consultant and bench coach between 2007 and 2011, including a return to the bench role in July 2009 after Jim Riggleman took over and again in June 2011 under Davey Johnson. His final documented role was as a special assistant to the general manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers, hired on November 5, 2012.

Did You Know?

• Pat Corrales was the first major league manager of Mexican American descent.
• He was on the Reds' roster for the 1970 World Series but did not play.
• Corrales was fired by the Philadelphia Phillies in July 1983 despite a 43–42 record; the team was in fourth place, 6.5 games behind the Cardinals.
• He signed a multi-year contract with the Cleveland Indians after the 1985 season before being fired in July 1987.
• Corrales was a standout offensive guard and linebacker at Fresno High School, named lineman of the year by The Fresno Bee.

Pioneering Managerial Milestones

Patrick Corrales holds the distinction of being the first major league manager of Mexican American descent. His managerial career spanned nine years and included tenures with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cleveland Indians. He immediately joined the Indians, signing a unique perpetual contract after 1985 before his dismissal in July 1987. His overall record stood at 572–634.

A Career Defined by Backup Roles

From 1964 to 1973, Corrales played exclusively as a backup catcher for four different teams: the Phillies, Cardinals, Reds, and Padres. He accumulated 166 hits and four home runs in 300 games, batting .216. His time in St. Louis saw him backing up Tim McCarver in 1966 before spending 1967 in the minors. In Cincinnati, he backed Johnny Bench until a trade to San Diego in June 1972. He appeared in one World Series game for the Reds in 1970, recording the final out of the series.

Tragedy and Personal Resilience

Born in Los Angeles on March 20, 1941, Corrales was a multi-sport star at Fresno High School. He married Sharon Ann Grimes in 1960; she died from a blood clot shortly after giving birth to their fourth child in July 1969. He remarried Heidyt Enedina Davis on May 28, 1970, in Jellico, Tennessee. Inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980, he passed away at age 82 at his home in Big Canoe, Georgia, on August 27, 2023.

Later Years as a Coach and Consultant

After his managerial career ended in 1987, Corrales remained active in baseball. He coached for the Yankees in 1989, then spent nine years with the Atlanta Braves. He joined the Washington Nationals in 2007, serving intermittently as bench coach and consultant through 2011. His final role was as a special assistant to the Dodgers' general manager starting in November 2012.