Phillies manager Frank Lucchesi staged a sit-in at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis to protest an umpire’s call favorable to the Cardinals.
After managing in the minor leagues for 19 years, Lucchesi (pronounced Lou-Kay-See) got his first chance in the majors with the 1970 Phillies, a team in a rebuilding phase.
Lucchesi was promoted from the minors “for one reason: Win back the hearts and minds of fans who abandoned the Phillies in droves,” Philadelphia columnist Bill Conlin wrote.
After a 10-9 record in April, the 1970 Phillies were 10-18 in May.
In seeking help for his team from a higher power, “I even lit a candle in church in Pittsburgh, and it blew out,” Lucchesi said to Sports Illustrated.
Dividing line
On June 27, 1970, the Phillies entered their Saturday afternoon game at St. Louis with a 31-37 record and were in fifth place in the six-team National League East.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the score tied at 8-8, Jim Beauchamp, starting in center field in place of injured Jose Cardenal, led off and lined a drive to deep right-center against Joe Hoerner, a former Cardinal.
As the ball reached the wall at the 386-foot mark, “two fans reached out and one of them touched the ball, which fell to the ground,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The Phillies thought Beauchamp’s hit should be declared a ground-rule double because of fan interference, but second-base umpire Tony Venzon signaled a home run, giving the Cardinals a 9-8 lead.
Luchessi ran out of the dugout to argue with Venzon and was joined by six other Phillies, who circled the umpire near second base. Venzon explained to them the ball hit above the yellow line at the top of the wall and therefore was a home run.
The Phillies disagreed, saying the fan touched the ball as it hit the wall below the yellow line.
Call stands
According to the Inquirer, a television replay supported the Phillies’ argument, and Cardinals broadcasters “said they thought the ball hit the arm of a fan reaching downward from the first row of the bleachers,” the Philadelphia Daily News reported.
“He reached below the yellow line,” said Phillies right fielder Byron Browne, a former Cardinal.
Said Phillies shortstop Larry Bowa: “There was no way that could be a home run.”
The Phillies claimed Venzon hadn’t run into the outfield to get a close look at the play. Lucchesi asked him to consult with the other umpires.
“Tony, getting it right is the most important thing,” Lucchesi said to him.
Venzon replied, “No, that’s it.”
“What got me so hot at Venzon was him refusing to ask the umpires for help,” Lucchesi said.
Temper tantrum
Outraged, Lucchesi “kicked clouds of dirt and gestured wildly,” the Philadelphia Daily News reported. According to the Inquirer, “a wild argument continued for several minutes,” and Lucchesi was ejected.
Lucchesi said he wanted to run out to the outfield wall and ask the fan to show Venzon where he touched the ball, “but I got so hot at jawing with Venzon I forgot what I really was going to do.”
Instead, Lucchesi plopped down on the second-base bag. Venzon ordered him to leave the field, but Lucchesi refused to budge.
“When I sat down on the base, I told him I was staying put until he asked his buddies,” Lucchesi said.
“He knew he was wrong and he didn’t hustle on the play.”
Magic word
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “Park police were ready to remove Frank off the base.”
Phillies coach George Myatt arrived, looked Lucchesi in the eye and said, “Luke.”
The word got Lucchesi’s attention and he got up and left the field.
Myatt rescued Lucchesi with a pre-arranged code.
“I know myself well enough to know that when I get that hot, I’m not responsible,” Lucchesi said to the Philadelphia Daily News. “I reach a point where I don’t realize what I’m doing. Before the season, I gave the coaches a code word to holler at me in case I blew my top.”
The code word was “Luke,” a shortened variation of Lucchesi.
“”When I hear that, I know I’m going to get myself in trouble,” Lucchesi said.
The Cardinals held on for a 9-8 victory. Boxscore
The next day Lucchesi learned what kind of trouble he’d gotten into. He was fined $150 by National League president Chub Feeney, who said in a telegram, “Any repetition of this type of action will merit a suspension.”
I know that by saying that I prefer the way they used to play the game, is a sign that I’m getting old. But not only that, even the way managers would argue a call with the umpires was better. Today everything is too PC. Ever watch old clips of Earl Weaver go at it? He was the best. But on a note of seriousness. What poor Frank had to put up with in his run in with Lenny Randall, was a disgrace. Thet should have suspended Randell for an entire year without pay.
I agree on both counts. I really miss the managers who were showmen and characters. Most today are bland extensions of corporate culture. Lenny Randle’s assault of his manager, Frank Lucchesi, during Rangers spring training in 1977 was vicious and indefensible. He savagely punched Lucchesi multiple times. Lucchesi suffered a fractured cheekbone and needed reconstructive surgery of his face. The Rangers suspended Randle for 30 days without pay and fined him $10,000. Randle was dealt to the Mets before the suspension ended. Randle was charged with assault, pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor battery and was fined $1,000, according to the Associated Press. He played six more seasons in the major leagues after his violent attack of Lucchesi. PS: Randle was chosen by the Cardinals in the 10th round of the 1967 amateur draft after high school. He didn’t sign, opting instead to attend Arizona State. In 1970, he was a first-round selection of the Senators and signed with them.