Joe Lonnett

Playing career

Lonnett signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1948, and spent much of his career with the Phillies as a minor league catcher and manager, and Major League catcher and scout. He missed two seasons while serving in the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean War. He spent four seasons as a catcher in MLB with the Phillies, as a second-string receiver, appearing in 143 games, and batting .166 with six home runs and 27 runs batted in—never once cracking the .200 level for a season.

Coaching career

He returned to the Major Leagues as the third-base coach on Chuck Tanner's staff with the Chicago White Sox from 1971 to 1975, and the Oakland Athletics in 1976. Tanner, also a native of Western Pennsylvania and a former Major League outfielder, had promised that if he ever became a big league manager, Lonnett would be one of his coaches. Tanner honored his word, and Lonnett worked with him with the White Sox and A's.

When Tanner was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Manny Sanguillén—only the second trade in MLB history to involve a manager—Lonnett followed him to Pittsburgh. He wore Sanguillen's No. 35 jersey until the Pirates traded for Sanguillen a year later, after which he then wore No. 32 and would eventually serve as the third-base coach on the Pirates' 1979 world championship team. In all, he coached eight seasons (1977–84) for the Buccos.

In 1987 he was named the manager of the St. Catharines Blue Jays of the Short-Season 'A' affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays in the New York-Penn League, which finished at 41-36, 4th in the NY-P Western Division.

Later life

Lonnett battled Alzheimer's disease and was cared for by his wife of 56 years, Alvida. He attended the 25th anniversary celebration of the World Series champions in 2004 at PNC Park. Lonnett died in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on December 5, 2011. He was 84.