Managing in Boston

Before becoming a Hall of Fame genius with the New York Yankees, Casey Stengel mostly is mocked as a manager during his time with the woebegone Boston Braves.

So much so that Boston fans seemingly rejoice 81 years ago today after learning Stengel will miss part of the 1943 season after being struck by a taxicab and fracturing a leg.

The 1943 season marks Stengel's fifth straight losing summer in Boston.

After that, he has five mostly remarkable seasons managing in the minor leagues before taking over the Yankees in 1949 – just in time to lead New York to a stunning five straight World Series titles.

As for the cabdriver who 81 years ago today runs down the 52-year-old Stengel, well, he is nominated by local scribe and resident cynic Dave Egan for Boston's Sportsman of the Year for 1943.

Ouch.

As for the always self-deprecating Stengel, he knows how to handle criticism, or at the very least knows how to deflect it.

“Don’t cut my throat,” Stengel once says, “I may want to do that later myself.”