When he managed the New York Yankees in the 1950s, Casey Stengel could do without those five-hour bus rides between cities during spring training.
So Stengel would hop a plane to the next stop. And he would take Yankees second baseman Jerry Coleman with him.
Bob Chandler, Coleman’s longtime broadcast partner with the Padres, explains: “Stengel wanted Coleman to fly with him in case something happened to the pilot, so Jerry could step in and fly the plane. ... He was in the bullpen, just in case.”
Obviously, “The Old Perfesser” knew something about his personnel beyond what position they should play or where they should hit in the batting order.