Fred Melvin McGaha (September 26, 1926 – February 3, 2002) was an American coach and manager in Major League Baseball as well as a professional basketball player. Born in Bastrop, Louisiana, he stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 198 pounds (90 kg). McGaha graduated from the University of Arkansas and played a season of professional basketball with the New York Knicks of the NBA.\n', '

He signed his first baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1948. An outfielder who batted and threw right-handed, McGaha never played in the Major Leagues. However, he achieved great success as a minor league manager. At 27, he became a playing skipper in 1954 in the Double-A Texas League, leading the Shreveport Sports to 90 victories and a regular-season pennant in his first season, and then to 87 wins and a playoff title the following year. In 1959, his Mobile Bears won the Double-A Southern Association championship and 89 regular-season games. Then, in 1960, McGaha led the Triple-A Toronto Maple Leafs to 100 victories and the International League\'s Governors\' Cup playoff championship. In 1961, he was promoted to a coaching position with the parent Cleveland Indians then became their manager at age 35 in 1962, succeeding Jimmie Dykes, although McGaha was fired with two games remaining in his maiden season with Cleveland at 78–82 in sixth place in the ten-team American League. \n', '

In 1963, McGaha became a coach for the Kansas City Athletics. In June 1964, with the Athletics in last place under manager Eddie Lopat, owner Charlie Finley, known for his quick trigger finger in hiring and firing, abruptly shifted McGaha into the Kansas City front office; then, a few days later, moved him back onto the field as Lopat\'s successor. The A\'s revived somewhat, but still finished in last place. McGaha was fired by Finley in the 1965 season after a 5–21 start. He was replaced by Haywood Sullivan.\n', '

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