Background
Felske, John Frederick was born on May 30, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
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John Frederick Felske
Edit Profileprofessional baseball team manager
Education
Student, University Illinois.
Career
He was the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from September 30, 1984, through June 18, 1987, posting a record of 190 victories and 194 defeats (495). After attending the University of Illinois, Felske signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1961, but his shortcomings as a batter—and the durability of Chicago backstop Randy Hundley—kept him at the minor league level except for two at bats in the middle of the 1968 season. He was drafted by the Seattle Pilots in December 1969, and played a total of 50 games over the 1972 and 1973 seasons for the Pilots" successor franchise, the Milwaukee Brewers, as third-string receiver.
Overall, Felske, a right-handed hitter, batted only.135 in his major league career, with one home run.
In 1974, Felske turned his hand to managing in the Milwaukee farm system, reaching the Class American Automobile Association level in 1977. After winning the division title with the 1979 Vancouver Canadians of the Pacific Coast League, Felske was named as the bullpen coach for the Toronto Blue Jays under skipper Bobby Mattick for 1980 and 1981.
He was promoted to the Phillies" coaching staff for the 1984 season as heir apparent to their skipper Paul Owens, who also was the club"s general manager. Owens resigned his managing post September 30 of that season, and Felske took over the helm.
Unfortunately for Felske, the Phillies—1983 National League champions—were in rapid decline.
Hall of Fame left-hander Steve Carlton was coming to the end of his career, and youngsters called up to replace these aging veterans fell short of expectations. Meanwhile, the team"s front office turned over with Owens" retirement.
