Lou Bruce
From BR Bullpen
Louis R. Bruce
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 5", Weight 145 lb.
- School Syracuse University, University of Pennsylvania
- Debut June 22, 1904
- Final Game October 10, 1904
- Born January 16, 1877 in St. Regis, NY USA
- Died February 9, 1968 in Ilion, NY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Lou Bruce played 30 games for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1904. He also pitched in two games for the team that year, finishing out both games, and throwing 11 innings in all. He did not receive a decision in either game. However, this was the only season he played in the Major Leagues.
Bruce had substantial success as a two-way player for Toronto in 1901-04. In 1902 as a pitcher he went 18-2 and the next year he was 12-4. As a hitter he was over .300 in 1901-03 with a peak in 1903 when he hit .356 in 100 games.
Lou was a Native American, the son of a Mohawk chief according to the University of Pennsylvania archives. He attended dental school at Penn beginning in 1901 and was captain of the baseball team as well as manager of the football team. While in dental school, he married a woman who was the daughter of a Sioux chieftain.
He practiced dentistry in Syracuse, NY and attended the school of theology there. He became a minister at various locations, mostly within the Native American community. He was politically active, supporting suffrage for Native Americans. His son, Louis Bruce, Jr., became U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1969.
