We are … managing the Astros

When the 59-79 Houston Astros fire manager Bo Porter 11 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 second 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 the Los Angeles Dodgers select him out of Springfield Delco High School in the first round of the 1976 amateur draft.

Tom Lawless, center, meets with Mike Scioscia and umpire Dan Bellino before Lawless’ first game as Astros manager

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, 2014 coincidentally, against Scioscia’s Angels.

Lawless’ Astros win that game 8-3 before a Tuesday night crowd of 16,131 in Houston.

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

Alas for Lawless, he never again manages in the majors.

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