Bobby Wine, born Robert Paul Wine on September 17, 1938, in New York City, embarked on a professional baseball career that spanned over two decades. Known primarily for his defensive prowess, Wine played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) and later transitioned into coaching and managerial roles.
Wine's journey in professional baseball began when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1957. He made his MLB debut with the Phillies on September 30, 1960. Over the next several years, Wine established himself as a reliable defensive player. His skills at shortstop were widely recognized, earning him the National League Gold Glove Award in 1963. This accolade highlighted his exceptional fielding abilities, as he was known for his strong arm and quick reflexes.
During his playing career, Wine was not particularly known for his batting prowess. His offensive statistics were modest, with a career batting average of .215, 30 home runs, and 268 runs batted in over 12 seasons. However, his defensive contributions were invaluable to his teams. Wine played for the Philadelphia Phillies until 1968, after which he was traded to the Montreal Expos. He became part of the Expos' inaugural team in 1969 and continued to play with them until his retirement as a player in 1972.
Following his playing days, Wine transitioned into coaching and management. He began his coaching career with the Montreal Expos, serving as a coach from 1973 to 1975. His knowledge of the game and experience as a player made him a valuable asset to the coaching staff. Wine later joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a coach, where he served from 1977 to 1983. During his tenure with the Phillies, he was part of the coaching staff that led the team to a World Series championship in 1980.
Wine's managerial career began in 1985 when he was appointed as the interim manager of the Atlanta Braves. Although his time as a manager was brief, it marked an important chapter in his post-playing career. After his stint with the Braves, Wine continued to work in various coaching and scouting roles within the MLB.
Throughout his career, Bobby Wine was respected for his defensive skills and his understanding of the game.
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