Whether he was coaching professional baseball players, helping high school and college athletes hone their skills or running the Boys Club of Sarasota for more than a decade, Joe Lutz had the same mission.
He wanted youths and young adults to develop self-confidence and the social skills that would help them succeed.
"What we try to do here is teach a child how to stand on his or her own two feet and make wise decisions in life," Lutz said in 1986 after 10 years as executive director of the Boys Club. "We also teach them manners and to respect the rights of others."He died Monday at 83 after being in declining health in recent years from a stroke and diabetes.
After playing in baseball's minor leagues for several years after World War II, he briefly joined the majors with the St. Louis Browns in 1951. He was also a coach for the Cleveland Indians from 1971 to 1973 and was the first Caucasian manager of a major league baseball team in Japan.
He wanted youths and young adults to develop self-confidence and the social skills that would help them succeed.
"What we try to do here is teach a child how to stand on his or her own two feet and make wise decisions in life," Lutz said in 1986 after 10 years as executive director of the Boys Club. "We also teach them manners and to respect the rights of others."He died Monday at 83 after being in declining health in recent years from a stroke and diabetes.After playing in baseball's minor leagues for several years after World War II, he briefly joined the majors with the St. Louis Browns in 1951. He was also a coach for the Cleveland Indians from 1971 to 1973 and was the first Caucasian manager of a major league baseball team in Japan.
