Major League Baseball Player. He may have been a light-hitting second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates for three years, but he later had a huge impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers' fortunes with his work with four infielders who played a record eight consecutive years together (1974-81). He originally played in the Brooklyn Dodgers' system but got a big-league shot with the Pirates in 1948. The right-handed batter hit only .216 in 51 at-bats, followed by .218 in 308 at-bats the following year. He was demoted to Indianapolis and then returned to the Pirates in 1951 briefly, hitting .209. He bounced around the minors for seven years, including being player-manager with Waco, Beaumont and Lincoln (1956-58). He became a scout for the Dodgers in 1959 and was promoted to the big-league club as a coach in 1973. He earned high praise for his work in converting catcher Ted Sizemore into a second baseman in a year's time that netted Sizemore the National League's 1965 Rookie of the Year award. Basgall's work helped second baseman Jim Lefebvre earn the 1969 Rookie of the Year trophy. He then worked long hours indoors at Michigan State University helping Steve Garvey convert from a third baseman to a first baseman. His biggest project was transforming a pair of center fielders, Davey Lopes and Bill Russell, into the Dodgers' double-play combination at second base and shortstop in 1972. "I think my greatest satisfaction has been the development of Lopes and Russell," Basgall said. "To realize how far they have progressed is very rewarding." He remained a Dodgers coach through the 1986 season. He also worked with third baseman Ron Cey.
Major League Baseball Player. He may have been a light-hitting second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates for three years, but he later had a huge impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers' fortunes with his work with four infielders who played a record eight consecutive years together (1974-81). He originally played in the Brooklyn Dodgers' system but got a big-league shot with the Pirates in 1948. The right-handed batter hit only .216 in 51 at-bats, followed by .218 in 308 at-bats the following year. He was demoted to Indianapolis and then returned to the Pirates in 1951 briefly, hitting .209. He bounced around the minors for seven years, including being player-manager with Waco, Beaumont and Lincoln (1956-58). He became a scout for the Dodgers in 1959 and was promoted to the big-league club as a coach in 1973. He earned high praise for his work in converting catcher Ted Sizemore into a second baseman in a year's time that netted Sizemore the National League's 1965 Rookie of the Year award. Basgall's work helped second baseman Jim Lefebvre earn the 1969 Rookie of the Year trophy. He then worked long hours indoors at Michigan State University helping Steve Garvey convert from a third baseman to a first baseman. His biggest project was transforming a pair of center fielders, Davey Lopes and Bill Russell, into the Dodgers' double-play combination at second base and shortstop in 1972. "I think my greatest satisfaction has been the development of Lopes and Russell," Basgall said. "To realize how far they have progressed is very rewarding." He remained a Dodgers coach through the 1986 season. He also worked with third baseman Ron Cey.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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