How Bill Russell stayed connected to baseball, and reconnected with the Dodgers

"An outstanding outfielder in his first three major league seasons, Russell moved to the infield full time in his fourth year. It was a disaster. "It was something I lost a lot of sleep over," said Russell, who led the majors with 34 errors that year. "After the season, I just collapsed for a few weeks." Then he picked himself up and went to work on getting better and in his second year as a shortstop he led the majors with 560 assists, led the National League in defensive WAR and made the first of three all-star teams."

"Six months after his last at-bat - he struck out as a pinch hitter in the final week of the 1986 season - Russell was back in uniform as the team's bench coach. He later managed in the Dodgers' minor league system, replaced Tommy Lasorda in that job at the major league level and, for the past 13 years, has worked in the team's community relations department, coaching youth camps and appearing at schools, fan fests and other events."

Bill Russell began his major league career as an outstanding outfielder and struggled when moved full time to the infield, committing 34 errors in that season and experiencing deep disappointment. He recovered, improved defensively, then led the majors with 560 assists, led the National League in defensive WAR and earned three All-Star selections. He played more games for the Dodgers than any Los Angeles player. After retiring he immediately moved into coaching and managing roles, later serving long-term in community relations, youth coaching and as an umpire observer, remaining a soft-spoken, humble Dodger for nearly half a century.

Read at Los Angeles Times