Bill Virdon, former player and manager of the Pirates who was a member of their 1960 World Series winning team as a player and 1971 as an assistant coach, has died. He was 90 years old.
The Pirates confirmed the passing in a team statement Tuesday.
“Bill Virdon was a man who took such great pride in being a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in the statement. “Every fan who followed our 1960 team will always remember the instrumental role that he played to bring a third World Series championship to the city of Pittsburgh.
“We are also eternally grateful for everything that Bill did representing the Pirates following his playing days not only as a successful manager, but also in helping a countless number of our young players that he so proudly instructed and mentored as a coach and one of our long-time Spring Training guest instructors.”
Virdon began his career with the Cardinals in 1955, where he was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year. He was traded to the Pirates the following year.
Virdon would go on to play 11 years with the Pirates, winning a Gold Glove in center field in 1962. Over his 12-year major league career, Virdon hit .266 with 1,431 hits, 91 home runs and 502 RBIs.
After his playing career, Virdon joined the Pirates’ coaching staff in 1968 and served as Danny Murtaugh’s bench coach during their next World Series win in 1971.
Virdon took over as Pirates manager the following year, and while he led the team to the division title in 1972, he was fired midseason in 1973. He compiled a 995-921 record over 13 years as a manager between the Pirates, Yankees, Astros and Expos. Eight of those seasons were with the Astros.
Virdon served as an assistant coach with the Pirates in four separate stints: From 1968-71, 1986, 1992-1995 and 2001-2002.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley, his children Debbie Virdon Lutes, Linda Virdon Holmes and Lisa Virdon Brown, along with his seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Bill Virdon … a man of uncommon class and kindness. A champion in everything he did, not least of which was in playing brilliant center field for the 1960 Pirates and beyond. (Imagine being the guy in center with No. 21 playing right.) 1/3 pic.twitter.com/TkLt3V2dDF
— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) November 23, 2021
Hate to hear about the passing of Bill “Quail” Virdon. He hit me ground balls as long as his body would let him. Time would pass and Id catch him sitting on bucket. Id tease him and tell him to get up. His response ,” Old age can kiss my as🤭.” That was him. Rest easy my friend pic.twitter.com/PIfpHXx0n8
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) November 23, 2021
