Cincinnati Bearcats Well-Represented in SABR’s Baseball Biography Project

Since 2002, historically-minded members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) have been researching, writing, and editing comprehensive biographies of everyone who has ever played or managed in Major League Baseball.

The SABR Baseball Biography Project is well on its way to achieving its stated goal. Thus far, an all-volunteer corps of SABR members has published peer-reviewed biographies of 3,714 of the more than 18,000 players who have appeared in a Major League game.

I have taken great pleasure in participating in the SABR Biography project over the last three years. Currently, I have published about two-dozen biographies with the project.

SABR members have authored biographies of five of the 21 Bearcats who have played in the Major Leagues: Sandy Koufax, Miller Huggins, Ethan Allen, Jack Bushelman, and Bill Schlesinger.

Marc Z. Aaron wrote a fascinating biography of Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, the legendary Dodgers lefty who many observers consider the greatest pitcher in Major League History.

Steve Steinberg authored an outstanding biography of UC’s other Cooperstown inductee, Miller Huggins, who managed the dynastic 1920s New York Yankees after a 13-year career as a steady second baseman for the Reds and Cardinals.

Bernard Crowley’s biography of Ethan Allen, one of the most feared hitters of the 1920s and 1930s, details the UC grad’s transformation from a major league outfielder into one of the game’s most respected minds. After his retirement, Allen served as head coach of the Yale University baseball club, where he managed future president George H.W. Bush. Additionally, Allen produced a series of highly influential instructional baseball books and films.

Craig Lammers’ biography of Jack Bushelman and Bill Nowlin’s biography of Bill Schlesinger, both of which delve into the fascinating details of the life stories of their subjects, demonstrate SABR’s commitment to commemorating every veteran of Major League Baseball. Bushelman, a right-handed pitcher, appeared in a total of seven games over three seasons for the Reds and Red Sox. Bill Schlesinger appeared in one Major League game. He pinch hit for Red Sox pitcher Dave Morehead in a May 1965 game, grounding out 1-3 against California Angels pitcher Marcelino Lopez.

Take a look at their biographies. The life stories of Bushelman and Schlesinger are just as interesting reading as those of many players with far more illustrious careers.

If you are interested in participating in the SABR Biography project, you can shoot me a direct message on twitter @ClaytonTrutor and I’ll give you more details. Or you can contact the SABR Biography Project directly on Twitter: @SABRbioproject. Or you can contact the folks at the Biography Project through their website:

http://sabr.org/bioproject