Bill Text: PA SR37 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Honoring the life of Chuck Tanner, former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who died February 11, 2011.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-02-14 - Introduced and adopted [SR37 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR37-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 555
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 37 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, ROBBINS AND VOGEL, FEBRUARY 14, 2011
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, FEBRUARY 14, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Chuck Tanner, former manager of the
Pittsburgh Pirates, who died February 11, 2011.
WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" William Tanner was born on July 4,
1928, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Anna Marie Baka and
Charles Tanner, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Tanner attended Shenango High School, where he
excelled in football, basketball, track and field and, most
notably, in baseball. The baseball field at his alma mater is
now named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, A left-handed batter and thrower, Chuck Tanner
signed his first contract with the Boston Braves. He played for
eight seasons for four different teams, batting .261 with 21
home runs in 396 games as a spare outfielder with the Boston
Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels,
missing out on a chance to be an everyday outfielder with the
Cubs in 1958 because of a shoulder injury; and
WHEREAS, Tanner's playing career is most remembered for
hitting a home run on the first pitch of his first career at-bat
- 1 -
on April 12, 1955; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Tanner started his managerial career in 1970
with the Chicago White Sox, working with them for more than five
seasons. He then moved on to the Oakland A's in 1975 before
settling with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1976; and
WHEREAS, His arrival in Pittsburgh came as part of a trade
with the Oakland A's. The Pirates received Chuck Tanner in
return for catcher Manny Sanguillen and $100,000, one of the few
trades involving managerial staff in the Major Leagues; and
WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Pirates finished second in each of
their first two seasons under Tanner, in 1977 and 1978, then
overcame a 7-11 record in April 1979 to win the National League
East before sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game
National League Conference series; and
WHEREAS, The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates played 162 games during
the regular season, won 98 games, lost 64 games and finished in
first position. They played their home games at Three Rivers
Stadium (Park Factors: 105/104) where 1,435,454 fans witnessed
the 1979 Pirates finish the season with a .605 winning
percentage; and
WHEREAS, Tanner considered that series as the pinnacle of his
sport. An eternal optimistic attitude and pure love for the game
enabled him to help lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World
Series championship. He carried with him a mental toughness and
hard-work philosophy that often filtered throughout his teams;
and
WHEREAS, The feat was accomplished even though the Pirates
didn't have a starting pitcher with more than 14 wins that
season or a position player with more than 94 runs batted in;
and
- 2 -
WHEREAS, After his managing career ended, Chuck Tanner stayed
deeply involved in the game. Working as a scout for the
Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians eventually led Chuck
Tanner home to Pittsburgh. In 2007, Chuck Tanner became senior
adviser for the Pittsburgh Pirates; and
WHEREAS, In his 19-year career managing, Chuck Tanner amassed
a 1,352-1,381 record. He won one division title and finished
second five times; and
WHEREAS, Although considered to have a sharp baseball mind,
Chuck Tanner was more admired because he was loved by his
players as well as the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Chuck Tanner served as honorary National
League coach in the All-Star game in Pittsburgh. Phil Garner,
the National League manager, insisted Tanner be on his staff.
Tanner also threw out the honorary first pitch at the game; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Tanner passed away on Friday, February 11th at
the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara,
but is survived by two brothers, William and Robert; sons, Mark,
Gary, Brent and Bruce; and 11 grandchildren. Mr. Tanner is
described as being positive, enthusiastic and optimistic by
those who knew him; and therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate extend its condolences to the
family of Chuck Tanner upon the occasion of his passing; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate, by adoption of this resolution,
honor the life and work of Chuck Tanner.
- 3 -