Del Crandall was a professional baseball player who played as a catcher for the Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians. He was born on March 5, 1930, in Ontario, California, and began his baseball career in 1948 when he signed with the Boston Braves.
Crandall quickly established himself as a talented catcher, known for his strong arm and defensive skills. He played for the Boston Braves from 1949 to 1950 before being drafted into the military. After serving in the Korean War, he returned to baseball and played for the Milwaukee Braves from 1953 to 1963.
During his time with the Milwaukee Braves, Crandall was a key player on the team that won the National League pennant in 1957 and the World Series in 1958. He was also a seven-time All-Star and won four Gold Glove Awards for his defensive skills.
In 1964, Crandall was traded to the San Francisco Giants, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for the Pirates for one season before being traded to the Cleveland Indians, where he finished his playing career in 1966.
After retiring as a player, Crandall became a coach and manager. He served as a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1970 to 1972 and the California Angels from 1973 to 1974. He then became the manager of the Brewers from 1975 to 1977, leading the team to their first winning season in franchise history in 1978.
Crandall later served as a coach for the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets before retiring from baseball in 1991. He was inducted into the Milwaukee Brewers Walk of Fame in 2001 and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
Throughout his baseball career, Del Crandall was known for his strong defensive skills and leadership on the field. He was a key player on several successful teams and went on to have a successful career as a coach and manager.
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