Emil Fuchs (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Emil Edwin Fuchs was a German-born American
baseball
owner and executive.
Fuchs was the attorney for John McGraw
's New York Giants
when he bought the Boston Braves
with Christy Mathewson
and James McDonough in 1922. Matthewson was originally intended to be the principal owner. However, his precarious health (he'd suffered a severe case of tuberculosis
during World War I
and never recovered) forced him to turn over the team presidency to Fuchs after the 1923 season. After Jack Slattery
quit as manager, Fuchs hired Rogers Hornsby
to manage the rest of the 1928
season. He then sold Hornsby to the Chicago Cubs
and managed the team himself, finishing in last place. The Philadelphia Phillies
loaned Fuchs $35,000 to keep the Braves solvent.
By 1935
, he was in such dire straits that he could not afford the rent on Braves Field
. When he learned that Babe Ruth
's days as a New York Yankee
were numbered, Fuchs bought the slugger from Jacob Ruppert
. Ruth was named vice-president and assistant manager of the Braves, and promised a share of the profits and a possible part-ownership. Fuchs also hinted that Ruth, who made no secret of his managerial ambitions, that he could become manager as early as 1936. When he realized that Fuchs was broke and was using him as a last-ditch effort to revive his fortunes, Ruth announced his retirement on May 27. Fuchs was forced to sell the team to former Red Sox
owner Bob Quinn
three months later.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
owner and executive.
Fuchs was the attorney for John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
's New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
when he bought the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
with Christy Mathewson
Christy Mathewson
Christopher "Christy" Mathewson , nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", or "Matty", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire career in what is known as the dead-ball era...
and James McDonough in 1922. Matthewson was originally intended to be the principal owner. However, his precarious health (he'd suffered a severe case of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and never recovered) forced him to turn over the team presidency to Fuchs after the 1923 season. After Jack Slattery
Jack Slattery
John Terrence Slattery was a catcher and first baseman for the Boston Americans, Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Washington Senators for parts of four seasons between 1901 and 1909. He was never used regularly, and some of his Major League stops were very short...
quit as manager, Fuchs hired Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
to manage the rest of the 1928
1928 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Yankees over St Louis Cardinals -Awards and honors:*League Award** Mickey Cochrane, Philadelphia Athletics, C** Jim Bottomley, St. Louis Cardinals, 1B-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
season. He then sold Hornsby to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and managed the team himself, finishing in last place. The Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
loaned Fuchs $35,000 to keep the Braves solvent.
By 1935
1935 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Detroit Tigers over Chicago Cubs *All-Star Game, July 8 at Municipal Stadium: American League, 4-1-Other champions:*Negro League Baseball All-Star Game, August 11 at Comiskey Park: West, 11-8...
, he was in such dire straits that he could not afford the rent on Braves Field
Braves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
. When he learned that Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
's days as a New York Yankee
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
were numbered, Fuchs bought the slugger from Jacob Ruppert
Jacob Ruppert
Jacob Ruppert, Jr. , sometimes referred to as Jake Ruppert, was a National Guard colonel; a U.S. Representative from New York; and brewery owner, who went on to own the New York Yankees...
. Ruth was named vice-president and assistant manager of the Braves, and promised a share of the profits and a possible part-ownership. Fuchs also hinted that Ruth, who made no secret of his managerial ambitions, that he could become manager as early as 1936. When he realized that Fuchs was broke and was using him as a last-ditch effort to revive his fortunes, Ruth announced his retirement on May 27. Fuchs was forced to sell the team to former Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
owner Bob Quinn
Bob Quinn (baseball)
James Aloysius Robert Quinn was an American executive in Major League Baseball who became renowned for his management of four different franchises....
three months later.