Eddie Haas, Former MLB Player and Braves Manager, Passes Away at 91

Eddie Haas, a notable figure in the world of baseball, passed away on June 4 at the age of 91. A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Haas enjoyed a diverse career that spanned over five decades, including stints as a player, manager, and scout.

Haas played in Major League Baseball during the late 1950s with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Braves. Over the course of three seasons, he accumulated 79 at-bats, achieving a batting average of .243 with one home run. After his playing days, he remained active in the sport, transitioning to minor league baseball where he took on various coaching and managerial roles.

In 1984, Haas was promoted to the Atlanta Braves' coaching staff under Joe Torre, where he worked as a first base coach and hitting instructor. Later that year, he was appointed as the Braves' manager after Torre's dismissal. “It’s a special honor to manage what I consider one of the top organizations in baseball,” Haas expressed at the time.

However, his tenure as manager was short-lived; he was relieved of his duties on August 27, 1985, with a record of 50-71. His management style faced criticism from players, including outfielder Claudell Washington, who remarked, “For us to win this year, we had to have a three- or four-run lead in the eighth inning.”

Following his brief managerial stint, Haas continued contributing to baseball as a scout for the Montreal Expos and later the Boston Red Sox. He had notable success in the minor leagues, leading teams to championship titles, including the Greenwood Braves, who won the Western Carolinas League in 1969. Haas leaves behind a rich family legacy in baseball, with relatives who also played professionally. He is survived by two sisters, three children, and seven grandchildren.