Doug Rader, nicknamed "The Red Rooster", played shortstop at Illinois Wesleyan in 1963 and 1964 before spending 11 seasons as a major league third baseman.
Rader, who was signed by the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent for a reported $25,000 bonus in 1965, made his major league debut on July 31, 1967 and played in the big leagues from 1967 to 1977.
He had a career batting average of .251 with 155 home runs and 722 runs batted in and won five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974.
Playing at 6-feet-2, 208 pounds, he spent nine seasons for the Houston Astros (1967 to 1975), joined the San Diego Padres in 1976, and Toronto Blue Jays midway through the 1977 season.
At age 25 (in 1970), Rader slugged a career-best 25 home runs with 87 RBI and two seasons later he smacked 22 homers and drove in 90, seventh most in the National League.
After his playing career ended, Rader was the manager (from 1980-82) of the Hawaii Islanders, the AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate of the San Diego Padres, then spent seven years as a big league manager with an overall record of 388 wins against 417 losses (.482 winning percentage).
He managed the Texas Rangers from 1983 to 1985, compiling a record of 155 wins against 200 losses (.437 winning percentage); was 1-1 as the Chicago White Sox interim manager in 1986; and led the California Angels from 1989 to 1991, forging a 232-216 record (.518). He also served as a coach for the Florida Marlins.
Born July 30, 1944 in Chicago, Rader attended Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, prior to attending Illinois Wesleyan. Also nicknamed "Rojo", Rader earned his nickname from the thick head of red hair which always protruded from under his cap.
In retirement, Rader and his family live in Stuart, Fla.
