Horace ‘Doc’ Edwards, who managed the Buffalo Bisons for two seasons (1993-94), passed away in San Antonio at the age of 81 on Monday.
Edwards, primarily a backup catcher during his playing career, didn’t set many records but left a lasting impact on his family and friends during his 57-year professional baseball career. His baseball journey began in 1958 as a minor league player with the Cleveland Indians, and he concluded it as the manager of the independent San Antonio Colts in 2014.
Born in 1936 in Red Jacket, W.VA, Edwards earned his nickname “Doc” from his time serving as a medic in the navy. He played in 317 major league games from 1962 to 1970, maintaining a career batting average of .238 with 15 home runs and 87 RBIs.
As the manager of the Cleveland Indians from 1987 to 1989, Edwards amassed a record of 173-207 during his three-year tenure with the team, which included the strike-shortened 1987 season.
Edwards fondly recounted his first at-bat in the major leagues with the Indians and was known for his friendly, soft-spoken demeanor and patience with teammates, media, fans, players, and front office personnel, making him stand out from his peers.
Mike Buczkowski, the Bisons’ general manager, expressed his sadness on Twitter, remembering Edwards as the first manager he worked with when he became the general manager in 1994. Buczkowski highlighted Edwards’ storytelling prowess and the wealth of baseball knowledge he shared.
During his time with the Bisons, Edwards led the team to a second-place finish in the AA East in his inaugural season as manager.
As of Monday, details about Edwards’s funeral arrangements had not yet been announced.
