Danny Ozark, 85, former manager, dies

VERO BEACH, Fla., May 7 (UPI) -- Former Philadelphia Phillies Manager Danny Ozark, whose teams twice won 101 games in a season, has died. He was 85.

Ozark died Thursday at his home in Vero Beach, Fla. No cause of death was released.

Ozark managed the Phillies from 1973-79 and had a record of 594-510. The win total is third-best all-time among Phillies managers.

His teams won 101 games in both 1976 and 1977 and 90 games in 1978, winning the National League Eastern Division title each season. However, the Phillies never advanced to the World Series under Ozark.

The Sporting News voted him the NL manager of the year after the 1976 season.

Ozark also managed the San Francisco Giants on an interim basis after Frank Robinson was fired in 1984. The Giants were 24-32 under Ozark.

Ozark never made it out of the minor leagues as a player and turned to managing in 1956. In addition his managing positions, Ozark was on the coaching staffs of the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny. The couple marked their 60th anniversary in February. He is also survived by two children.