Minnesota Twins: Ranking the 5 Worst Managers in Franchise History

No. 2: Washington Senators’ Chuck Dressen (1955-1957)

W-L: 116-212 (.354)

Average Finish: 7.5

The manager right before Lavagetto, Chuck Dressen came over from the Brooklyn Dodgers after two National League Pennants in 1952 and 1953 with high expectations. The team had two solid seasons those years, so the thought was: Dressen would take the Senators over the top.

Long story short: he didn’t. Dressen’s Senators lost 101 games in 1955, then 95 games in 1956. He struggled to lead the team, and was fired just 20 games into 1957. Eddie Yost and Mickey Vernon were on that team, so it by no means was a bad team.

Despite that, Dressen is fourth-worst in games under/over 500 (-96 games), fourth-worst in team history (.354), and tied for the fourth worst in average finish with two last place finishes and one seventh place finish. He belongs in the second spot here.

No. 1: Washington Senators’ Joe Kuhel (1948-1949)

W-L: 106-201 (.345)

Average Finish: 7.5

Joe Kuhel (pronounced Joe Cool) was a stud first baseman for the Washington Senators from 1930-1937 and 1944-1946, and was No. 54 (honorable mention) on our list. He was an very good player, but one of the worst managers in team history.

Kuhel led the team to two seasons with at least 97 losses, with 97 losses in 1948 and 104 losses in 1949. He wasn’t brought back for a third season after that. His winning percentage of .345 is the worst of any manager who lasted a second season with the team.

Kuhel’s team wasn’t excellent either year, but still, to manage two seasons and to lose over 200 games is downright inexcusable. Kuhel may have been a good player, but he was without a doubt, the worst manager in team history.