Sport: Boss of the Babes

When he was hired on by the old Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953, one New York newspaper headlined: ALSTON (WHO'S HE?) TO MANAGE DODGERS. The question was understandable. Walter Emmons Alston's entire major-league playing career—as a fledgling first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936—had consisted of going to bat exactly once and ingloriously striking out. As a manager, he had labored in the obscurity of the minor leagues for 13 years. Now, 20 seasons, six pennants and four World Series championships later, the wonder is not only his longevity but the fact...