On November 4, 1965 — Al Lopez resigns as the manager of the White Sox. The future Hall of Fame skipper will briefly return to the Chicago dugout to manage 47 games in 1968 and another 17 games the following season, before retiring for good.

Lopez retired after managing pennant races for 15 consecutive summers took their toll on his well-being. Managing was no longer fun for a man in his fifties who spent many late nights pacing the clubhouse floor due to an insomniac condition. Not even Lopez’ gin rummy marathons with broadcaster Bob Elson were enough to lift his spirits. As was reported in Time, the insecurity of having never won a World Series “kept him melancholy.” Few were aware of his stomach condition, let alone its severity, which prevented him from digesting fruit or vegetables and forced him to drink milk — a beverage he detested. After leading the Sox to a 95-67 record in 1965, good for another second-place finish, Lopez’ illness forced him to step down as manager in favor of Eddie Stanky

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe to This Day In Baseball” subscribe_text=”Get our latest Posts in your in box” subscribe_button=”GO” show_subscribers_total=”0″]

This Day In Baseball on Patreon
Own this Day and Be Part of Baseball History

Sources:

Maxwell Kates – SABR Biography
Baseball Reference November 4
National Pastime November 4
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project