Bill Virdon, the 1955 National League Rookie of the Year who later won manager of the year awards in both leagues, has died at the age of 90, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Tuesday.
Virdon was given his first opportunity to be a manager in 1972 by the Pirates -- with whom he made his mark as a Gold Glove outfielder during his playing days -- and guided Pittsburgh to the National League Championship Series that season.
"Bill Virdon was a man who took such great pride in being a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates family," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement.