Lance Nichols

Lance Lee Nichols(July 25, 1939 – March 9, 2024) was an American formercatcher,manager,farm systemofficial andscoutinprofessional baseball.Nichols threw and battedright-handed.He stood 6 ft (1.8 m) tall and weighed 195 lb (88 kg) as an active player.

Nichols was born inKansas City, Missouri.He attendedLyndon, Kansas,High School and played baseball,basketballandfootballatEmporia State University,before signing his first pro baseball contract with theLos Angeles Dodgersin 1961. He progressed as far as the Triple-ASpokane Indiansof thePacific Coast Leaguefor 77 games in 1966, but never appeared at theMajor Leaguelevel,batting.225 over sixminor leagueseasons with 15home runs.

After five seasons as the baseball coach atDodge City High School,Nichols returned to the professional ranks as a manager in thefarm systemsof theMontreal Expos,St. Louis CardinalsandBaltimore Orioles,reaching the Triple-A level with theNew Orleans Pelicansin 1977 and theRochester Red Wingsin 1982–1983. His record as a manager was 768–819 (.484) over 12 seasons (1972–1983).

He then served the Orioles' farm system as director of field operations before spending the1989season as director of player development of thePhiladelphia Phillies.He also was a scout for theColorado Rockiesduring their early years in MLB and a Montreal Expos andWashington Nationalsscout.

He died March 9, 2024 inDodge City, Kansasat 84 years old.