William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is a manager in Major League Baseball. He guided the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003, and has been manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2006. He was inducted into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. Management (from Old French ménagement the art of conducting, directing, from Latin manu agere to lead by the hand) characterises the process of leading and directing all or part of an organization, often a business, through the deployment and manipulation of resources (human, financial, material, intellectual or intangible). ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds... This year in baseball: 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 Events January-March January 8 - Ozzie Smith is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. ... The following are the events of the year 2003 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... The following are the baseball events of the year 2006 throughout the world. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Abilene is a city in Taylor County, Texas, United States, in the central portion of the state. ... New York Yankees manager Joe Torre returning to the dugout (September 2005) In baseball, the head coach of a team is called the manager (or more formally, the field manager); this individual controls matters of team batting order to more closely communicate with baserunners, but most managers delegate this responsibility... MLB and Major Leagues redirect here. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... These are lists of people who have been associated with the professional baseball teams that have been based in Kinston, North Carolina. ...

Playing Career

Grady Little was born on March 3, 1950 in Abilene, Texas. He graduated from Garinger High School in Charlotte, North Carolina before he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 12th round of the 1968 draft. is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Abilene is a city in Taylor County, Texas, United States, in the central portion of the state. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... “Charlotte” redirects here. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) East Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 21, 35, 41, 42, 44 Name Atlanta Braves (1966–present) Milwaukee Braves (1953-1965) Boston Braves (1941-1952) Boston Bees (1936-1940) Boston Braves (1912-1935) Boston Rustlers (1911) Boston Doves (1907-1910) Boston...

After spending the 1969 season in the Marine reserves, Grady played in 167 games as a catcher over five minor-league seasons in the Braves and Yankees organizations. He posted a career .207 batting average with two homers and 37 RBI. He retired from playing in 1973. The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... For the organization which many minor leagues belong to, see Minor League Baseball Part of the History of baseball series. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as...

Coaching Career

Little became a player-coach for the West Haven Yankees while still playing in 1971 and continued through his retirement as a player, remaining as a coach with West Haven until 1974. The West Haven Yankees were a minor league baseball team located in West Haven, Connecticut. ...

During the 1975-79 seasons he stayed away from baseball and worked as a cotton farmer.

He managed in the minor leagues for 16 years, compiling a record of 1,054-903 (.539).

The minor league teams he managed:

• 1980: Bluefield Orioles
• 1981-82,84: Hagerstown Suns
• 1983-84: Charlotte O's
• 1985: Kinston Blue Jays
• 1986-87: Pulaski Braves - league champs in 1986
• 1988: Burlington Braves
• 1988-1991: Durham Bulls
• 1992: Greenville Braves - League Champs, won minor league manager of the year
• 1992: Grand Canyon Rafters- In Arizona Fall League, inducted into AzFL's Hall of fame in 2006.
• 1993-1995: Richmond Braves - League Champs & International League Manager of the Year in 1994

From 1996 to 2001, Little served as a coach for the Padres, Red Sox, and Indians.[1] The Bluefield Orioles, a professional baseball team, is a minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, representing the twin cities of Bluefield, West Virginia and Bluefield, Virginia. ... League South Atlantic League Division Northern Division Year founded 1981 Major League affiliation Washington Nationals Home ballpark Municipal Stadium Previous home ballparks {{{previous ballparks}}} City Hagerstown, Maryland Current uniform colors black, orange Previous uniform colors Logo design A baseball wearing a black cap and sunglasses superimposed over an orange sunburst. ... League International League Division South Division Year founded 1976 Major League affiliation Chicago White Sox Home ballpark Knights Stadium Previous home ballparks Jim Crockett Sr. ... Former minor league baseball team located in Kinston, NC. The Kinston Blue Jays were the Toronto Blue Jays minor league Class A team in the Carolina League from 1982-1985. ... The Pulaski Blue Jays are a professional minor league baseball team in the Appalachian League. ... League Midwest League Division Western Year founded 1947 Major League affiliation Kansas City Royals Home ballpark Community Field Previous home ballparks none City Burlington, Iowa Current uniform colors blue, and gold Previous uniform colors blue and yellow, green and yellow Logo design Division titles League titles Manager Jim Gabella Owner... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Mississippi Braves are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. ... Class-Level Single-A to Triple-A Minor League affiliations Arizona Fall League West Division Major League affiliation Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Indians Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Angels Texas Rangers Name Surprise Rafters (2007-present) Grand Canyon Rafters (199?-2006) Tempe Rafters (1993-199?) Ballpark Surprise Stadium Minor League titles... The Arizona Fall League is a minor league baseball league which operates during the Fall in Arizona at three spring training complexes. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Class-Level Triple-A (1966-Present) Minor League affiliations International League South Division Major League affiliations Atlanta Braves (1966-Present) Name Richmond Braves (1966-Present) Ballpark The Diamond (1966-Present) Minor League titles League titles 1978, 1986, 1989, 1994, 2007 Division titles Owner(s)/Operated by: Atlanta Braves (Liberty Media... The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. ... In the baseball game, the coach is a member of the team at bat stationed near first or third base to signal and direct the runners and batters. ... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames The Pads, The Friars, The Fathers, The Dads Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds...

Boston Red Sox (2002 - 2003)

In March 2002, the Boston Red Sox hired Little as their manager. Little was enormously popular with his players as he enhanced the loose nature of the clubhouse and supported struggling players. His tenure was very successful, the Red Sox winning a combined 188 games in his two seasons and nearly taking the pennant in 2003. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds...

However, the 2003 season (and Little's entire tenure with the Red Sox) is mostly remembered for his controversial decision during game seven of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees. The Red Sox led the game 5-3 in the 8th inning, and were five outs away from reaching the World Series. Little visited the mound after starting pitcher Pedro Martinez gave up three straight hits, but he decided against taking out the ace pitcher. The Yankees tied the game on the next hit from Jorge Posada, and went on to win the game (and the pennant) in the 11th inning. The 2003 American League Championship Series was played between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees from October 8 to October 16, 2003. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... For other events named World Series, see World Series (disambiguation). ... In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher, often abbreviated as starter, is the pitcher who pitches the first pitch to the first batter of a game. ... Pedro Martinez warming up in right field of Fenway Park before a game, June 22, 2004. ... Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta (born August 17, 1971 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a switch-hitting catcher and 6-time All Star who plays for the New York Yankees. ...

Little was the target of great angst in the aftermath of the Red Sox' loss (which turned out to be the last manifestation of the so-called Curse of the Bambino). Critics pointed out that Martinez had a history of pitching more poorly when tired, while the Red Sox had a well-rested bullpen waiting to take over. The club had bullpen problems for much of the season, however, and for a considerable period attempted a "closer by committee" scheme. Supporters responded that Little's decision to trust Martinez was in keeping with his style that had brought the Red Sox that far in the first place. The Red Sox fired Little as manager, a decision supported by many Red Sox fans, while many observers felt Little was unfairly made a scapegoat. Certainly, Little's perceived indecision made him persona non grata in Boston, and inspired the popular weblog Surviving Grady. The year following Little's dismissal, the Red Sox added a reliever, Keith Foulke, who notched 32 saves (twice as many as the 16 notched by 2003 club leader, Byung-Hyun Kim) and a starter, Curt Schilling, who earned 21 victories and still only improved its regular season record by three games over Little's accomplishment. Babe Ruth -- The Bambino The Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited, often jokingly, as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series after they sold Babe Ruth, sometimes called The Bambino, to the New York Yankees. ... While the game goes on, a relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen, beyond the outfield fence In baseball, the bullpen is the area where pitchers warm-up before entering a game. ... The Scapegoat by William Holman Hunt, 1854. ... Look up Persona non grata in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A weblog (now more commonly known as a blog) is a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles (normally, but not always, in reverse chronological order). ... Surviving Grady is a popular blog, detailing the ongoing and occasionally strained relationship between two passionate fans of the Boston Red Sox and their beloved team. ... Keith Charles Foulke [FOLK] (born October 19, 1972 in Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota) is a retired Major League relief pitcher. ... Curtis Montague (Curt) Schilling (born November 14, 1966 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. ...

In the film Fever Pitch, Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) and his friends attempt to explain the Curse of the Bambino to his new girlfriend, Lindsay Meeks (Drew Barrymore). After Ben and the friends rattle off several instances, Little sticking with Pedro is the last mentioned, possibly due to another character saying, "Oh, stop it! You're killing me!" Fever Pitch, which was released as The Perfect Catch outside of the United States and Canada, is a Farrelly Brothers comedy film. ... James Thomas Fallon (born September 19, 1974 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American comedian, actor, musician, and Grammy nominee best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... Drew Blyth Barrymore (born February 22, 1975) is an American actress and film producer, the youngest member of the Barrymore family of American actors. ...

Los Angeles Dodgers (2006 - Present)

Little spent 2004 and 2005 as a consultant, instructor, and scout with the Chicago Cubs. On December 8, 2005, after an organizational shakeup that resulted in the dismissal of both manager Jim Tracy and GM Paul DePodesta, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned to Little to be the team's 7th manager since its 1958 move to L.A. As manager of the Dodgers, Little was reunited with several players from the 2002-03 Boston team, including pitcher Derek Lowe, 3B Bill Mueller, and shortstop-turned-first baseman Nomar Garciaparra. Little and new GM Ned Colletti were widely credited for bringing a fresh outlook to a team that had been wracked by instability over the previous decade. The Dodgers won 88 games in 2006 and earned the NL wild-card spot in the playoffs during Little's first season; however, they were swept by the New York Mets in the NLDS. Plagued by injuries to several key players and fielding a lineup loaded with youngsters, the Dodgers failed to reach the playoffs in 2007. Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... You may have been looking for another Jim Tracy, a member of the Tennessee Senate. ... Paul DePodesta (born December 16, 1972) is baseball front-office assistant for the San Diego Padres. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... Derek Christopher Lowe (born June 1, 1973 in Dearborn, Michigan) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... William Richard Mueller [MILL-er] (born March 17, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who currently serves as the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Anthony Nomar Garciaparra (born July 23, 1973, in Whittier, California) is a Mexican-American baseball player who currently plays third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Ned Louis Colletti, Jr. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans, The Kings of Queens Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league... In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series (NLDS) determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series. ...

Little will return as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers again in 2008 after winning accolades for his handling of a difficult situation where the Dodgers relied on veterans to make a playoff run, but also tried to mature younger talent. [2] Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899...

Family

Little has a wife, Debi, a son, Eric, and 3 grandchildren (Braden, Luke, and Jace.)

External links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Major League managerial record
• Minor-league managerial record
• Surviving Grady - Red Sox in the Aftermath of Grady Little