George Bamberger

Who was George Bamberger?

George Irvin Bamberger was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the 1951–1952 New York Giants and the 1959 Baltimore Orioles. He later served as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.

Bamberger was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, and broke in with the Giants on April 19, 1951. The right-hander spent most of his career in the minors, including 15 years in the Pacific Coast League; he won 213 games from 1946 to 1963. He never had a decision in the majors, however, and compiled a 9.42 ERA in 10 games over 14 ¹⁄₃ innings.

He had a record of 458–478 as manager. As Earl Weaver's pitching coach with the Orioles, he produced 18 20-game winners, including 4 for the 1971 American League champions: Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally, and Pat Dobson.

As a pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles, Bamberger would teach his famed pitch, "The Staten Island Sinker".

He died of cancer at his home in North Redington Beach, Florida.