Two-time All-Star Bob Watson has died from kidney disease at the age of 74, the Houston Astros announced Friday.
Watson played parts of 14 seasons with the Astros from 1966 to 1979.
He became the first black general manager of a championship team when his New York Yankees won the World Series in 1996.
“This is a very sad day for the Astros and for all of baseball,” the team said in a statement. “Bob Watson enjoyed a unique and remarkable career in Major League Baseball that spanned six decades, reaching success at many different levels, including as a player, coach, general manager, and MLB executive.”
MLBPA executive director Tony Clark also issued a statement to honor Watson.
“Bob’s positive impact on our game and those who came in contact with him was accomplished with the utmost integrity, devotion, and commitment,” the statement read. “We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Watson hit .295/.364/.447 with 184 home runs and 989 RBIs in 1,832 games across a 19-year career. He also played for the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves.
He was the Oakland Athletics hitting coach when the club won the American League pennant in 1988 at the height of the Bash Brothers era with Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.
Watson became the second black GM in MLB history – after Bill Lucas – when the Astros hired him after the 1993 season. The Yankees then hired him in 1995 ahead of their championship run the following year.
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