Dave Huppert

Dave Huppert
Catcher
Born: April 17, 1957 South Gate, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 15, 1983, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
October 6, 1985, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.048
Home runs	0
Runs batted in	0
Teams
As Player Baltimore Orioles (1983) Milwaukee Brewers (1985) As Coach Washington Nationals (2005 as third base coach) Philadelphia Phillies (2008 two games as third base coach)
Career highlights and awards
California League 1988 Manager of the Year Florida State League 2001 Manager of the Year Managed three league championship teams

David Blain Huppert (born April 17, 1957 in South Gate, California) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and currently manager of the Lakeland Flying Tigers of Minor League Baseball's Florida State League (FSL). The team is in the Detroit Tigers organization.^[1]

Playing career

Huppert was originally signed as a player by the Baltimore Orioles in 1977. He caught 31 of 33 innings on April 18, 1981 for the IL's Rochester Red Wings against the Pawtucket Red Sox in the longest game in professional baseball history.

Huppert reached the major leagues as a catcher with the Orioles in 1983 and again with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985. He appeared in a total of 15 games, collecting one hit - a single against Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro.

Managerial career

Huppert began his managerial career with the Helena Gold Sox in 1986 at the age of 29. He went on to manage in the farm systems of the Milwaukee Brewers (1986–91), the Chicago White Sox (1993–1998), Florida Marlins (1999–2001), Montreal Expos (2002-2004), Philadelphia Phillies (2006-2010 and Detroit Tigers (2011-present).

Huppert joined the Montreal Expos organization in 2002, where he was the manager of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators for one year, and the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers for two years. He worked alongside the legendary Frank Robinson as third base coach for the Washington Nationals during that team's inaugural season in 2005.

Huppert moved to the Phillies franchise in 2006. He replaced Steve Smith as Phillies third-base coach during Smith's two-game suspension in September 2008.^[2]

In December 2010, Huppert was hired to manage the Lakeland Flying Tigers

Huppert has managed for 25 seasons, posting a combined managerial record of 1,745-1,594 (.521). He recorded winning records 15 times in those 25 seasons, earning playoff berths 12 times. Huppert managed teams to league titles four times: the 2001 Florida State League (Advanced-A) co-champion Brevard County Manatees, the 2006 South Atlantic League (Low-A) champion Lakewood BlueClaws, the 2007 Florida State League champion Clearwater Threshers and the 2012 Florida State League champion Lakeland Flying Tigers .

Huppert was named Manager of the Year in 1988 with the Stockton Ports in the California League and in 2001 with Brevard County.

References

1. "IronPigs Announce Inaugural Field Staff". Lehigh Valley IronPigs. 2007-12-12. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
2. Zolecki, Todd (2008-09-05). "Phils' third-base coach suspended". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-09.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference