Lou Rosenberg
Encyclopedia
Louis "Lou" Rosenberg was a Jewish American professional baseball
player whose career spanned three season, one of which was spent in Major League Baseball
(MLB) with the Chicago White Sox
(1923). During his time in the majors, he played second base and batted
.250 with one hit
, and one strikeout
in for at-bats. Rosenberg also played in the minor leagues
for two seasons with the Twin Falls Bruins (1926–27), Logan Collegians (1927), and Baltimore Orioles
(1927). In the minors, he had a lifetime batting average of .331 with 233 hits, 51 doubles
, 15 triples
, and 16 home run
s. During his playing career, he stood at 5 in 7 in (170.18 cm) and weighed in at 150 pounds (68 kg). He batted and threw right-handed. Rosenberg's brother, Harry
, also played professional baseball.
to Benjamin and Dora Rosenberg, both of Russia
. Lou Rosenberg had seven siblings; sisters Charlotte, Dora, and Lottie; and brothers Harry
, Max, Meyer, and Samuel. Their father worked as a contractor
in the San Francisco Bay Area
. Lou Rosenberg's brother, Harry, was a Major League Baseball
(MLB) player with the New York Giants. Lou Rosenberg, like his siblings, did not have a middle name, although some records indicated his middle initial was "C". He was Jewish.
. Before 1923, Rosenberg played sandlot ball
in San Francisco. The Chicago White Sox
signed Rosenberg during spring training
in 1923 since they were short players on their roster after Eddie Collins
and Ernie Johnson
failed to report. During his spring training debut, collected three hits
. He made his MLB debut on May 22, against the New York Yankees
, where in one at-bat he struck out
. On July 16, which would later prove to be his final MLB game, Rosenberg collected his first major league hit, which was off of Philadelphia Athletics pitcher
Slim Harriss
. That season, he was used as a pinch hitter
and second baseman
. He collected one hit in four at-bats with the White Sox that year. At 19, he was the second-youngest player in the American League
that season. On July 24, the White Sox assigned Rosenberg to their minor league
team in Galveston, Texas
.
In April 1926, Rosenberg signed with the Class-C Twin Falls Bruins of the Utah-Idaho League
. With the Bruins that season, he batted
.354 with 139 hits, 32 doubles
, 10 triples
, and 13 home run
s in 105 games played
. He was fourth in the league in home runs, and fifth in doubles. At the end of the season it was announced that he would return to Twin Falls in 1927. With Twin Falls that season, he batted .273 with 36 hits, five doubles, and one home run in 36 games played. Mid-season that year, he joined the Class-C Logan Collegians, also of the Utah-Idaho League. With Logan, Rosenberg batted .326 with 58 hits, 14 doubles, five triples, and two home runs in 48 games played. Rosenberg also played for the Double-A Baltimore Orioles
of the International League
. He played just one game with the Orioles, and his stats were never kept. Before the start of the 1928 season it was announced that Rosenberg was to play for the Logan Collegians of the Utah-Idaho League, however the team ceased operations before the season.
. He died on September 8, 1991 in San Francisco. He was buried at Eternal Home Cemetery in Daly City, California
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned three season, one of which was spent in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1923). During his time in the majors, he played second base and batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.250 with one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, and one strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
in for at-bats. Rosenberg also played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for two seasons with the Twin Falls Bruins (1926–27), Logan Collegians (1927), and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1927). In the minors, he had a lifetime batting average of .331 with 233 hits, 51 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 15 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 16 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. During his playing career, he stood at 5 in 7 in (170.18 cm) and weighed in at 150 pounds (68 kg). He batted and threw right-handed. Rosenberg's brother, Harry
Harry Rosenberg
Harry Rosenberg was a Jewish American professional baseball player whose career spanned 13 seasons, one of which was spent in Major League Baseball with the New York Giants . In the majors, he played nine games, getting five at-bats, one run scored, one base on balls, and four strikeouts...
, also played professional baseball.
Early life
Rosenberg was born on March 5, 1904 in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
to Benjamin and Dora Rosenberg, both of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Lou Rosenberg had seven siblings; sisters Charlotte, Dora, and Lottie; and brothers Harry
Harry Rosenberg
Harry Rosenberg was a Jewish American professional baseball player whose career spanned 13 seasons, one of which was spent in Major League Baseball with the New York Giants . In the majors, he played nine games, getting five at-bats, one run scored, one base on balls, and four strikeouts...
, Max, Meyer, and Samuel. Their father worked as a contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. Lou Rosenberg's brother, Harry, was a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) player with the New York Giants. Lou Rosenberg, like his siblings, did not have a middle name, although some records indicated his middle initial was "C". He was Jewish.
Baseball career
In 1922, Rosenberg was playing in the California Winter LeagueCalifornia Winter League
California Winter League is a former baseball Winter League. It is the first integrated league in the 20th century as players from Major League Baseball and Negro League Baseball played each other in training games. The league existed for almost 50 years during the first half of the 20th century...
. Before 1923, Rosenberg played sandlot ball
Sandlot ball
Sandlot ball is a North American adolescent game that generally follows the basic rules of baseball. More specific rules can be set for games and may vary each time the game is played. These rules are usually agreed upon before the game begins by teams of young boys or girls usually from the same...
in San Francisco. The Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
signed Rosenberg during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1923 since they were short players on their roster after Eddie Collins
Eddie Collins
Edward Trowbridge Collins, Sr. , nicknamed "Cocky", was an American Major League Baseball second baseman, manager and executive...
and Ernie Johnson
Ernie Johnson
Ernie Johnson may refer to:*Ernie Johnson *Ernie Johnson , running back at UCLA*Ernie Johnson **Ernie Johnson, Jr. , son and sports commentator...
failed to report. During his spring training debut, collected three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. He made his MLB debut on May 22, against the New York Yankees
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...
, where in one at-bat he struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
. On July 16, which would later prove to be his final MLB game, Rosenberg collected his first major league hit, which was off of Philadelphia Athletics pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Slim Harriss
Slim Harriss
William Jennings Bryan Harriss was a pitcher who played in Major League Baseball between the 1920 and 1928 seasons. Listed at 6'6", 180 lb., Harriss batted and threw right-handed...
. That season, he was used as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
and second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
. He collected one hit in four at-bats with the White Sox that year. At 19, he was the second-youngest player in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
that season. On July 24, the White Sox assigned Rosenberg to their minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team in Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
.
In April 1926, Rosenberg signed with the Class-C Twin Falls Bruins of the Utah-Idaho League
Utah-Idaho League
The six-team Utah-Idaho League was founded in 1926 as a class C league. The Pacific Coast League used the Utah-Idaho for player development, but travel costs in the mountainous territory plagued the league and it shut down after the 1928 season....
. With the Bruins that season, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.354 with 139 hits, 32 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 10 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 13 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in 105 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. He was fourth in the league in home runs, and fifth in doubles. At the end of the season it was announced that he would return to Twin Falls in 1927. With Twin Falls that season, he batted .273 with 36 hits, five doubles, and one home run in 36 games played. Mid-season that year, he joined the Class-C Logan Collegians, also of the Utah-Idaho League. With Logan, Rosenberg batted .326 with 58 hits, 14 doubles, five triples, and two home runs in 48 games played. Rosenberg also played for the Double-A Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. He played just one game with the Orioles, and his stats were never kept. Before the start of the 1928 season it was announced that Rosenberg was to play for the Logan Collegians of the Utah-Idaho League, however the team ceased operations before the season.
Later life
Rosenberg resided in San Francisco with his wife after his baseball career was over. Rosenberg owned a plant nursery business, Sunset Garden Supply. During an interview, when asked who the greatest baseball player of all time was, Rosenberg answered Ty CobbTy Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. He died on September 8, 1991 in San Francisco. He was buried at Eternal Home Cemetery in Daly City, California
Daly City, California
Daly City is the largest city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with a 2010 population of 101,123. Located immediately south of San Francisco, it is named in honor of businessman and landowner John Daly.-History:...
.