David "Dave" Garcia (September 14, 1920 – May 8, 2011) was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He had a lengthy career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanning several decades, playing briefly as an infielder and later managing two different teams.
Playing Career
Garcia began his professional playing career in 1940. He made his Major League debut as a second baseman and shortstop for the New York Yankees in 1947. Over parts of five seasons (1947–1951), he played for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles. Primarily a utility infielder, Garcia accumulated a career batting average of .233 in 157 games.Managing Career
After his playing career, Garcia transitioned into coaching and managing, spending many years in the minor leagues and as a big league coach. He served as a coach for the San Diego Padres and California Angels before getting his first MLB managing opportunity.He managed the California Angels from 1977 to 1979, succeeding Norm Sherry. In 1979, he was dismissed early in the season and later that year was hired by the Cleveland Indians, whom he managed from 1979 to 1982. Across his five seasons as an MLB manager, Garcia compiled a record of 307 wins and 351 losses. He was known for his calm demeanor and ability to connect with players.