William A. Sharsig (1855 – February 1, 1902) was an American Major League Baseball co-owner, general manager, business manager[1] and on field manager of the American Association Philadelphia Athletics, both their first incarnation and their second, which had migrated over from the Players' League. He lived, worked, and was born in Philadelphia.[2]

Bill Sharsig
Manager
Born: 1855
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: (1902-02-01)February 1, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Unknown
Threw: Unknown
MLB debut
August 26, 1886, for the Philadelphia Athletics
Last MLB appearance
May 13, 1891, for the Philadelphia Athletics (1891)
MLB statistics
Games474
Win–loss record244 – 218
Winning %.528
Teams

Managerial career

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Sharsig founded the Athletics in September 1880. In 1881, the team went on a barnstorming tour, and Sharsig took on two partners: player Charlie Mason and manager Horace Phillips.[3] After the tour, Phillips jumped ship to the Philadelphia Quakers, a competing team founded by Al Reach, which eventually became the Philadelphia Phillies, and was replaced on the management team by minstrel show performer Lew Simmons.[3]

As co-owner of the team, Bill named himself manager of his team on several occasions.[4] In five seasons; 1886, and from 1888 to 1891. He finished his career with 238 wins and 216 losses for a .524 winning percentage.[2]

Post-career

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After the Association folded in 1891, Bill went on to manage the Indianapolis team in the Western League in 1892 and in 1894.[5] Bill died in his hometown of Philadelphia, and was interred at Mount Vernon Cemetery.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society". philadelphiaathletics.org. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  2. ^ a b c "Bill Sharsig's Stats". retrosheet.org. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  3. ^ a b Base ball in Philadelphia: a history of the early game, 1831-1900, John Shiffert, p. 247 (Google Books result)
  4. ^ "New York Yankees". baseballlibrary.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  5. ^ Madden, W. C.; Stewart, Patrick J. (11 April 2002). The Western League: A Baseball History 1885-1999, pg. 308. McFarland. ISBN 9780786410033. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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Preceded by Philadelphia Athletics (AA) Managers
1886
18881890
Succeeded by
Frank Bancroft
Team folded
Preceded by Philadelphia Quakers/Athletics (PL/AA) Managers
1891
Succeeded by