Skyhawks Look To Soar To Top Of Standings Under Lanier

Almost nobody can claim — and be telling the truth — that they once played catch with Willie Mays in the outfield of the old Polo Grounds.

There’s even fewer who can say, afterwards, Mays took them out for ice cream.

Life was good for Hal Lanier in 1952.  The 10-year-old son of two-time All-Star Max Lanier, Hal would spend summers at the ballpark.  It’s where his dreams of playing in the big leagues began.

Lanier will spend this summer one state over from where the Polo Grounds used to sit. Inside a dugout — far away from city traffic and two-level malls — Lanier will watch his ball club play in Sussex County, New Jersey.

Last December, the Sussex Skyhawks named the 65-year-old their new skipper. The Skyhawks, who play in the independent Can-Am league, not only got a former major leaguer to manage their team, but a former National League Manager of the Year.

“I liked what the Skyhawks were trying to do,” Lanier said. “It seemed like a pretty good fit because we were all on the same page to create a better experience for the fans.”

In 10 big-league seasons, Lanier batted .228 with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. If not for a serious eye injury after being hit by a pitch in 1965 left him with epilepsy, he likely would have hit much better.

Once his playing career came to an end, Lanier went on to coach five seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, first as a minor league manager and then as the third base coach for their 1982 World Series and 1985 National League championship teams.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a player or a coach, anytime you get a World Series ring it’s special,” Lanier said. “I’m very proud of it.”

In 1986, the Houston Astros gave the former second baseman his first shot to manage in the big leagues.

Lanier liked to use the running game and it paid off in his first season.  Many news outlets picked the Astros to finish in dead last.  Instead, they ended the season 10 games in front of the Cincinnati Reds and lost in the NL Championship Series to the evenetual World Champion New York Mets.  With a 96-66 record, Lanier was voted National League Manager of the Year.

“I thought we had a lot of talent with that ball club.  I had Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, just a bunch of good guys,” Lanier, who credits former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog as a mentor, said. “We were one game away from the Series.”

Lanier spent three seasons with the Astros, compiling a 254-232 record.  After the Astros let him go in 1988, he hasn’t received another chance to manage in the big leagues.  It’s something he can’t explain.

“I wish someone could answer that.  I had a winning record in three years, which I’m pretty proud of, but I just haven’t gotten another opportunity.”

After a two-year stint as the Philadelphia Phillies bench coach, Lanier was handed another chance to manage.  This time it was in the independent Northern League.

“I’d been in pro ball for a long, long time so it was a little scary,” Lanier said. “I was essentially in charge of taking 30 players and picking the 25 I wanted on my team.  In affiliated ball you didn’t have to make those decisions, they’re made for you.”

Lanier’s been making those decisions for the last 12 years.  He spent 10 with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and two with the Joliet Jackhammers.  He enjoys the chance to pass on what he knows about the game to players who are just as hungry as he once was.

“I try to pass on my knowledge as a player, coach and major league manager.  Independent ball is like a second chance for them.  This is their dream and I hope I get them a chance to get noticed.”

It was 1964 when Lanier got called up to the majors for the first time.  His debut came at Sportsman’s Park, the same stadium his father had played in for 12 years.  As he ran out to second base, he looked into centerfield.  Standing there was Mays.

Lanier’s career had come full circle.  Now he hopes to get a few of his Skyhawk players a little closer to closing theirs.