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When the 59-79 Houston Astros fire manager Bo Porter nine years ago today, they replace him with onetime Penn State infielder Tom Lawless, who plays in the late 1970s at the college’s Behrend campus.

The move gives Penn State a third manager in the major leagues since Hall of Famer John Montgomery Ward runs the New York Giants in 1894.

The other guy beside Lawless and Ward?

That would be Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels.

Mind you, Scioscia never actually plays an inning for Penn State, having started his pro career immediately after being selected out of Springfield Delco High School by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 1976 amateur draft.

Scioscia, though, attends Penn State in the offseason, working toward a degree in computer science.

Lawless' first game as Houston's manager comes the next day, Sept. 2, coincidentally, against Scioscia's Angels and both are seen here with home plate umpire Dan Bellino prior to Lawless’ managerial debut.

Lawless' Astros win that game 8-3.

The Astros finish the 2014 season with an 11-13 record under Lawless before they hire A.J. Hinch as their next manager