 In , Unser returned to managing, serving as player-manager for the Austin Pioneers of the Big State League.After splitting among three teams, he returned to the Cardinals organization as essentially a full-time manager and occasional player.While managing the Midwest League Decatur Commodores from 1955 to 1957, he appeared in just 11 and 7 games in the first two seasons, and just a single game in 1957.