Longtime former huge leaguer and govt Sal Bando handed away yesterday at age 78. Bando performed with the Athletics franchise from 1966-76 after which with the Brewers from 1977-81 earlier than changing into Milwaukee’s normal supervisor for the 1992-99 seasons.
As per Bando’s household, “It’s with a heavy coronary heart, the Bando household is gloomy to announce the passing of its beloved husband and father, Sal, who final evening misplaced his battle with most cancers that started over 5 years in the past. Sandy, Sal’s spouse of 54 years, and sons Sal Jr., Sonny and Stef, ship their like to household, pals and followers who mourn the lack of a humble and devoted man.”
Bando was a sixth-round decide for the then-Kansas Metropolis Athletics within the 1965 draft, and he broke into the majors the following season. By 1968, Bando had turn out to be the beginning third baseman for the A’s of their inaugural season in Oakland, and he rapidly turned a key member of a budding dynasty. From 1969-74, Bando hit .265/.376/.445 with 141 homers, and his 34.7 fWAR was the fifth-highest of any participant within the majors. That six-year interval noticed Bando make 4 All-Star groups, end within the high 4 of AL MVP voting on three events (together with a second-place end to teammate Vida Blue in 1971), and win three World Collection rings because the A’s three-peated from 1972-74.
There was no scarcity of controversy on and off the sector for these Athletics golf equipment, and but Bando was a rock of stability because the staff’s captain. Nonetheless, Bando had his personal share of points with A’s proprietor Charlie Finley, stemming from contract disputes and Bando’s rising management function with the MLB Gamers Affiliation. After the 1976 season, Bando left the A’s as a free agent to signal a five-year cope with the Brewers, starting the following chapter of his profession.
Whereas Bando’s didn’t match his manufacturing from his Oakland heyday, he was nonetheless a contributor to a Brewers staff that had 4 straight profitable seasons from 1978-81, which included a postseason look in 1981. Bando was solely a part-time participant in 1981, and determined to retire after 16 MLB seasons with a purpose to transition into a brand new function within the Brewers’ entrance workplace. Bando labored as a particular assistant to normal supervisor Harry Dalton from 1982 till Bando himself was named to the highest job himself following the 1991 season. Sadly, Bando’s tenure as GM included just one profitable season, and he resigned the job partway by way of the 1999 marketing campaign.
We at MLBTR ship our condolences to Bando’s household, pals, and teammates.
