Doc Edwards

Who is Doc Edwards?

Howard Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years. He earned his nickname of "Doc" as a Navy medic.

Signed by the Indians, he spent some time in the minors before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics for Dick Howser in 1963. After two years, he was traded to the Yankees, and less than a year later, he was sent back to Cleveland. In 1967, he was traded to the Houston Astros, who quickly released him. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies in November for whom he became a bullpen coach. In June 1970, a series of injuries left the Phillies short a catcher and they activated the then 32-year old Edwards. Edwards responded with two-hits and then caught a Jim Bunning-Dick Selma two-hitter.

He coached with both the Phillies and Indians before becoming a manager at the minor league level, including for the Québec Metros in 1977. In 1981, he managed the Rochester Red Wings against the Pawtucket Red Sox in a 33-inning game, the longest in professional baseball history. In 1987, he was hired by the Indians to replace Pat Corrales, but their futility continued