Major League Baseball Manager, Coach. He will be best remembered as preceding Pete Rose as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Born Vernon Fred Rapp, his lengthy association with the sport began in 1946. He acquired experience playing at the first baseman and catcher positions with the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system and with the exception of a two-year interruption while he served with the United States Military during the Korean War, he was mainly a part of the Cardinal's organization. He turned to managing at the age of twenty-seven with the Charleston Senators in 1955 and in 1966, he guided the Arkansas Travelers to their league championship. In 1976, he led the Denver Bears to the American Association title. From this success, Rapp was hired as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977, replacing longtime former player and manager Red Schoendienst. He guided the Cardinals to a third place finish and a record a 83 win, 79 loss record in the National League East. Rapp (who was an old school baseball personality) clashed with star players Al Hrabosky (who he insisted on shaving his famous mustache) and Ted Simmons was fired during the early part of the 1978 season after a 6 win, 11 loss start and succeeded by former Cardinals' star player Ken Boyer. From 1979 until 1983, he served as the first base coach with the Montreal Expos under managers Dick Williams and Bill Virdon. Rapp was planing to retire following the 1983 season, when he received a phone call from Cincinnati Reds' executive Bob Howsam who convinced him to take over managerial duties. His tenure only lasted into August of 1984, when he was fired after compiling a 51 win, 70 loss record. He was succeeded by former Reds' great Pete Rose who went on to become Cincinnati's player-manager.
Major League Baseball Manager, Coach. He will be best remembered as preceding Pete Rose as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Born Vernon Fred Rapp, his lengthy association with the sport began in 1946. He acquired experience playing at the first baseman and catcher positions with the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system and with the exception of a two-year interruption while he served with the United States Military during the Korean War, he was mainly a part of the Cardinal's organization. He turned to managing at the age of twenty-seven with the Charleston Senators in 1955 and in 1966, he guided the Arkansas Travelers to their league championship. In 1976, he led the Denver Bears to the American Association title. From this success, Rapp was hired as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977, replacing longtime former player and manager Red Schoendienst. He guided the Cardinals to a third place finish and a record a 83 win, 79 loss record in the National League East. Rapp (who was an old school baseball personality) clashed with star players Al Hrabosky (who he insisted on shaving his famous mustache) and Ted Simmons was fired during the early part of the 1978 season after a 6 win, 11 loss start and succeeded by former Cardinals' star player Ken Boyer. From 1979 until 1983, he served as the first base coach with the Montreal Expos under managers Dick Williams and Bill Virdon. Rapp was planing to retire following the 1983 season, when he received a phone call from Cincinnati Reds' executive Bob Howsam who convinced him to take over managerial duties. His tenure only lasted into August of 1984, when he was fired after compiling a 51 win, 70 loss record. He was succeeded by former Reds' great Pete Rose who went on to become Cincinnati's player-manager.
Bio by: C.S.
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