Major League Baseball Manager. Born Daniel Leonard Orzechowski in Buffalo, New York, he spent eighteen seasons in the Minor and Pacific Coast Leagues as a first baseman and manager before reaching the Major League level in 1965 as a coach. From 1965 to 1972, Ozark served on Walter Alston's staff with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During that period the team would win two National League Pennants (1965 and 1966) including the World Series title in 1965. Following the 1972 season, Ozark was hired as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He served at that capacity from 1973 to 1979 and guided them to three consecutive division titles (1976 to 1978) in the National League East, which included two 100 win seasons (101 in 1976 and 101 in 1977). He was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year for the 1976 season. The team slipped to 4th place in their division resulting in Ozark's dismissal in August 1979. He was replaced by Dallas Green who would guide the Phillies to their first World Series title the following season. In 1980, he returned to the Dodgers for three seasons (1980 to 1982) under Tom Lasorda and was part of their staff when they won the World Series title in 1981. He coached with the San Francisco Giants from 1983 until his retirement following the 1984 season, and served as their interim manager replacing Frank Robinson. Ozark served in the United States Military during World War II, and was a participant of the Omaha Beach Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart.
Major League Baseball Manager. Born Daniel Leonard Orzechowski in Buffalo, New York, he spent eighteen seasons in the Minor and Pacific Coast Leagues as a first baseman and manager before reaching the Major League level in 1965 as a coach. From 1965 to 1972, Ozark served on Walter Alston's staff with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During that period the team would win two National League Pennants (1965 and 1966) including the World Series title in 1965. Following the 1972 season, Ozark was hired as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He served at that capacity from 1973 to 1979 and guided them to three consecutive division titles (1976 to 1978) in the National League East, which included two 100 win seasons (101 in 1976 and 101 in 1977). He was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year for the 1976 season. The team slipped to 4th place in their division resulting in Ozark's dismissal in August 1979. He was replaced by Dallas Green who would guide the Phillies to their first World Series title the following season. In 1980, he returned to the Dodgers for three seasons (1980 to 1982) under Tom Lasorda and was part of their staff when they won the World Series title in 1981. He coached with the San Francisco Giants from 1983 until his retirement following the 1984 season, and served as their interim manager replacing Frank Robinson. Ozark served in the United States Military during World War II, and was a participant of the Omaha Beach Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart.
Bio by: C.S.
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