The 1967 AL Pennant Race – Part 13 – Twins fire manager Sam Mele, hire Cal Ermer

Sam Mele is fired as the Minnesota Twins manager by owner Calvin Griffith and replaced by 43-year old Cal Ermer. Ermer played just one game in the major leagues for the Washington Senators as a 23-year old in 1947 and has no major league managing experience.

According to reports team owner Griffith felt that Mele had “lost control of his players”. Mele had managed the Twins since June of 1961 when he replaced Cookie Lavagetto and has compiled a 524-436 record and directed the team to the 1965 AL Pennant. 

 

Twins skipper in 1967-1968

Cal Ermer whose given name was Calvin Coolidge Ermer was born 3 months after Coolidge became President. Ermer was appointed as the Twins skipper over coach Billy Martin who many had expected to take over when Mele moved on.

The rest of the stories that I have done on the 1967 AL pennant race can be found here.

 

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German born Navy vet 65-68 and served aboard the Shangri La CVA-38. I run https://Twinstrivia.com, best MN Twins historical web site there is. Stop by daily and check out OTD in Twins history and much more. Live in Minnesota and Florida depending on what time of the year it is.