Danny Ozark, who helped revive the Phillies franchise in the 1970s, has died at his home in Florida. He was 85.Ozark took over as manager of the hapless Phillies in 1973 and led the team to three consecutive National League East titles.
He was named Manager of the Year in 1976 after leading the Phillies to a 101-61 record.
Ozark finished with a 594-510 record in seven seasons in Philadelphia during an era when Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski and Steve Carlton blossomed into premier players.
Ozark's inability to lead the team into the World Series eventually cost him his job, but a year after he was fired, the Phillies won their first World Series under manager Dallas Green.
Ozark returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he got his start, to coach under Tommy Lasorda. He later coached for the San Francisco Giants under manager Frank Robinson. Ozark was named interim manager in 1984 when Robinson was fired. He retired from baseball after the '84 season.
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