When did baseball managers stop wearing civilian clothes in the dugout and start wearing uniforms and what was the reason for the change?

There was never a time when it was usual for managers to wear street clothes in the dugout. The original reason managers wore the uniform was that back then all managers were also players. so a guy would (say) play third base and manage the team during his playing career. Then he retires from playing, but he's still the manager, so he keeps wearing his old uniform out of habit. There are no more player-managers (the last one was Pete Rose) but by now it's a tradition. Tradition's don't need a reason. Connie Mack, owner and manager of the old Philadelphia Athletics, used to wear a suit and tie in the dugout. So did the man who managed the Dodgers between Leo Durocher and Walt Alston, though I can't think ofhis name right now. But they were exceptions.

Answer

I don't remember what year it was but there is a rule in MLB now that states that no one from a team who is not wearing a uniform, except for medical personnel, is allowed on the field of play during a game.

Answer

Burt Shotton was the Dodgers manager you're thinking of.

First answer by Dlmick. Last edit by Dlmick. Contributor trust: 3842 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 118 [recommend question].