The Cubs acquired him in a midwinter deal, but he collected only five hits in 34 at bats in a utility role during the first two months of the campaign, and he was sent to the Pacific Coast League, where he finished his U.S. pro career. As a big-leaguer, he appeared in 475 games; his 369 hits included 69 doubles, three triples and 19 home runs. During his three years in Nippon Professional Baseball, Aspromonte batted a robust .273 in 295 games, with 257 hits, 53 doubles and 31 home runs. Managing career In 1968, Aspromonte returned to the Indians' organization as a manager in their farm system. After leading the 1969 Reno Silver Sox of the Class A California League to a winning record, he was promoted to Triple-A, where he spent two years at the helm of the Wichita Aeros, Cleveland's top affiliate. Aspromonte was named skipper of the MLB Indians on November 9, 1971, taking over a team that had lost 102 games in and finished 43 games out of first place in the American League East Division. But, fortified by the addition via a blockbuster trade of future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who won 24 games, the 1972 Indians improved their record substantially. They won 72 of 156 games during the strike-abbreviated campaign and bettered their previous year's winning percentage by 0.92 points. But the 1973 and 1974 clubs did not materially improve, falling into the division basement with 91 defeats in the former year, and losing 85 games in 1974 despite finishing fourth. His record in 1974 is deceiving, however; the team contended for much of the year-peaking at 45–35 July 4, in first place, and as late as September 8 was 71–70 and only six games back. But then the wheels came off, with the team posting a 6–15 finale to the season, ultimately ending Aspromonte's tenure there. The acquisition of Frank Robinson that September — widely seen as the next Cleveland manager, positioned to become the first black pilot in the big-league history — made his position untenable. Aspromonte was notified September 27, 1974, by club owner Nick Mileti and general manager Phil Seghi that his contract would not be renewed for , but he finished out the campaign, completing his managerial career with a mark of 220–260 (.458). The Indians then named Robinson their player-manager for 1975, to become