Lou Bierbauer
From BR Bullpen
Louis W. Bierbauer
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 8", Weight 140 lb.
- Debut April 17, 1886
- Final Game April 30, 1898
- Born September 28, 1865 in Erie, PA USA
- Died January 31, 1926 in Erie, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"The Cincinnati Enquirer says of that popular player and clever boy, Lou Bierbauer: -- 'Bierbauer had a hard struggle forcing his way to the top notch in base ball. Merit will always tell in the long run, however, and today he is the most sought-after ball player in America. His ability as a batter, baseman and base-runner, combined with his exemplary habits, make him a valuable acquisition for any team.' " - Sporting Life, Jan. 3, 1891
Lou Bierbauer was considered a top-notch second baseman in Major League Baseball during the late 1880s and 1890s.
He was a rising star for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association before joining many other major leaguers in jumping to the outlaw Players League for the 1890 season, a league which folded after just the one year of play.
During the off-season settlement, the arbitrators awarded Bierbauer to Pittsburgh of the National League instead of sending him back to Philadelphia, on the grounds that the A's had not reserved him. This produced a schism between the leagues as well as the lasting nickname of the Pittsburgh club: the "Pirates".
Bierbauer's minor league career lasted a very long time. At age 48 he was still a regular for the 1914 London Tecumsehs, and led the team with a .329 batting average. Greasy Neale, who would go on to a major league career, was on the team for 21 games and hit .320.
Lou's brother Charles Bierbauer was a minor leaguer in the 1890's.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1890)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1889 & 1894)
