Bill Carrigan
| Birthdate | 10/22/1883 |
| Death Date | 7/8/1969 |
| Debut Year | 1906 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Red Sox |
| Positions | Catcher, First Base, Manager |
Established in 1946 as a 2nd level of induction for non-players, the Honor Rolls of Baseball elected 5 managers, only Bill Carrigan is not in the Hall.
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In the collection:
Bill Carrigan was Babe Ruth's 1st big league manager with the 1914 Red Sox
Bill Carrigan was Babe Ruth's 1st big league manager with the 1914 Red Sox
Bill Carrigan played catcher for the Boston Red Sox for a decade from 1906-1916. He also served as the club’s skipper for seven seasons, four of which were in the capacity of player-manager.
During that time he helped Boston win three World Series championships. The much-respected Carrigan also holds the distinction of being the first manager for the game’s greatest player — Babe Ruth.
The pair teamed to bring the Red Sox back-to-back championships in 1915 and 1916. By piloting his team to the two titles he joined Frank Chance and Connie Mack as the only managers to that point to win multiple championships.
By 2016, 20 more managers would win two or more World Series to join Carrigan in the exclusive club. Of them 15 are in the Hall of Fame. Not Bill Carrigan.
Though he has yet to gain induction, Carrigan was so admired that he was recognized by the Hall of Fame in 1946. That year the “Honor Rolls of Baseball” were formed as a second tier of induction for non-players.
Only five managers were selected for the Honor Rolls — Ned Hanlon, Bill Carrigan, John Montgomery Ward, Miller Huggins, and Frank Selee. All are now enshrined except Carrigan.
In the collection is this index card, twice signed by Bill Carrigan.
Babe Ruth called Bill Carrigan, "the best manager I ever had".
Babe Ruth called Bill Carrigan, "the best manager I ever had".
Despite being an integral part of three Boston World Series champions, Bill Carrigan is perhaps best remember for being Babe Ruth’s first manager in the big leagues.
A prodigious signer, Ruth autographs can be found on virtually every medium. Everything he signed continues to increase in value due to sustained demand.
Of particular interest are autographed pictures of the Bambino. Ruth had copies of this photo that he signed later in life. Most of the examples of his autograph on this photo are personalized and penned in green ink, just as this one is.
For much more on Ruth’s career and detailed information about his Called Shot, click here.
Harry Hooper picks his all-time team; teammate Bill Carrigan is his choice as catcher and manager
Harry Hooper picks his all-time team; teammate Bill Carrigan is his choice as catcher and manager
Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper played with catcher Bill Carrigan in Boston from 1909 through 1916. In fact, Carrigan was the player-manager of the Sox for four of those years.
When Hooper was asked to identify his all-time team, he selected Carrigan as both the catcher and the manager. Most of Hooper’s picks were former teammates; all from from Hooper’s era.
Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson as Hooper’s choice as the right-handed pitcher while fellow Cooperstown man Eddie Collins was the the pick at second base.
From there, Hooper goes to his teammates. In addition to Carrigan, Hooper picks Dutch Leonard as his right-handed pitcher, and his teammates from the Golden Outfield, Duffy Lewis and Hall of Famer Tris Speaker.
Hooper’s responses here are just two of eight replies to a fan’s questioning. The others include his thoughts on being a Hall of Famer, how he’ll be remembered, and the Black Sox scandal. Those an be seen on by clicking here.
