Bruno Betzel

Bruno Betzel
Bruno Betzel
Runs batted in	94
Teams
	St. Louis Cardinals (1914–1918);

Christian Frederick Albert John Henry David "Bruno" Betzel (December 6, 1894 – February 7, 1965) was an American

scout for the New York Yankees),^[1] nor in 1954–55

), Betzel compiled a record of 1,887 victories and 1,892 losses for a winning percentage of .499.

Born in

runs batted in. He was the Redbirds' regular third baseman in 1915 and second baseman in 1916

.

An old-time ballplayer who roomed with Rogers Hornsby in his tenure with the Cardinals, Betzel once beaned Ty Cobb with an infield ground ball that set off a rare brawl in spring training. In spite of his business-like, win at all costs baseball life, he was known to share what he hunted and fished for with orphanages near his home.

In 1927 Bruno began his managing career with the

New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds. He was integral in the process which sent the first black player to the Major Leagues. As manager of the Jersey City Giants, whose nemesis was the Montreal Royals

team, Betzel said of Jackie Robinson (Montreal's second baseman), "I don't care if he is polka-dotted, he will be a big league player", and "I'd tuck him into bed at night if necessary to have him play for me in the big leagues".

In his final season as a manager, 1956, he led the

Governors' Cup playoff series to the Rochester Red Wings

in seven games.

Betzel was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in 1957.

He died in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 70.

According to Official Baseball 1945, Betzel was endowed with six given names to honor all six of his uncles; he gained his lifelong nickname "Bruno" after a

St. Bernard Dog of his youth that used to follow him around.^[2]

References

Reichler, Joseph, ed. The Baseball Encyclopedia. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1979.
Lloyd Johnson, ed., The Minor League Register. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1994.

^ The Sporting News, "1949 Official Baseball Guide and Record Book"
^ O'Connor, Leslie M., ed., Official Baseball 1945. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1945, page 382

External links

Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

[1] The Sporting News, "1949 Official Baseball Guide and Record Book"

[2] O'Connor, Leslie M., ed., Official Baseball 1945. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1945, page 382

[1]

[2]