Major League Baseball Player, Coach. Born William Lester DeMars, he was signed as an amateur free agent out of high school by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. His professional baseball career was interrupted while he served with the United States Navy during World War II. He was drafted from the Dodgers by the Philadelphia Athletics as a Rule 5 player and made his Major League debut on May 18, 1948. He produced a career high 44 hits with the St. Louis Browns in 66 games during the 1950 season and retired as a player the following year after playing at the third base and shortstop position in 80 career regular season games. He began a lengthy coaching career, initially as a Minor League manager in the Baltimore Orioles' organization, prior to joining the Philadelphia Phillies as their Major League hitting coach (1969 to 1981). During his tenure at that capacity, he was instrumental in the careers of Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski and Larry Bowa and was on staff when the Phillies won the World Series in 1980. His other Major League coaching stints include the Montreal Expos (1982 to 1984) and the Cincinnati Reds (1985 to 1987). He returned to the Phillies and served as a spring training hitting instructor.
Major League Baseball Player, Coach. Born William Lester DeMars, he was signed as an amateur free agent out of high school by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. His professional baseball career was interrupted while he served with the United States Navy during World War II. He was drafted from the Dodgers by the Philadelphia Athletics as a Rule 5 player and made his Major League debut on May 18, 1948. He produced a career high 44 hits with the St. Louis Browns in 66 games during the 1950 season and retired as a player the following year after playing at the third base and shortstop position in 80 career regular season games. He began a lengthy coaching career, initially as a Minor League manager in the Baltimore Orioles' organization, prior to joining the Philadelphia Phillies as their Major League hitting coach (1969 to 1981). During his tenure at that capacity, he was instrumental in the careers of Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski and Larry Bowa and was on staff when the Phillies won the World Series in 1980. His other Major League coaching stints include the Montreal Expos (1982 to 1984) and the Cincinnati Reds (1985 to 1987). He returned to the Phillies and served as a spring training hitting instructor.
Bio by: C.S.
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