BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Bill Adair, who managed the Chicago White Sox for 10 games in 1970 and was Hank Aaron's first minor league manager, died Monday. He was 89.
Adair died at William F. Green State Veterans Home.
Adair was the third base coach for the White Sox in 1970 when he filled in as manager for 10 games between Don Gutteridge and Chuck Tanner. His record was 4-6.
In 1952, Adair played second base and served as manager of the Milwaukee Braves' farm team in Eau Claire, Wis. One of his players was Aaron.
"I learned an awful lot from him as a young kid," Aaron said Monday night. "He gave me the foundation I needed to start out."
Adair is survived by his widow, Olean, and three daughters: Bonnie Allen of Montgomery, Ala., Marion Marshall of Lakeland, Fla. and Mary Adair of Steuben, Me.