Donie Bush

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Owen Joseph "Donie" Bush (October 8, 1887 - March 28, 1972) was an American shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball in the American League for the Detroit Tigers (1908-1921) and the Washington Senators (1921-1923). Bush was a solid-hitting leadoff hitter during his playing career, before stepping into the managing role, for which he is perhaps now most remembered. After leading the Senators (1923), he went on to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates (1927-29), Chicago White Sox (1930-31), and Cincinnati Reds (1933).

[edit] Playing overview

Bush was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. In his first full season, which was also arguably his best, he made his only World Series appearance but lost. In the 1909 World Series, he was 7 for 22, for a .318 average with 3 RBIs.

In the early 1910s, switch-hitting Bush was known as the king of the base on balls, walking over 80 times in each of his first seven full seasons. In 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1914, he led the league in the category. Oddly enough, when his career high came in 1915 (118), he finished 2nd in the league (behind Eddie Collins). Even more oddly, that year he was also tied with two other players at the mark of 118 (Ty Cobb and Burt Shotton). He finished three seasons with over 110 walks.

Considering how many times he walked, it was not hard to believe that his on-base percentage numbers were very good, but his numbers in this category were generally outstanding, especially considering his mediocre batting averages. He made the Top 10 in OBP four times.

Bush also broke up a very noteworthy one-hitter. In what Babe Ruth once called the most thrilling game he played in, he one-hit the Tigers as the starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, giving up just a scratch single to Bush. Ruth also had a single and a triple in the game to help himself, but the Sox won 1-0 on a triple by Chick Shorten.

Although which of his seasons was best is arguable, in 1917 Bush batted .281 with 34 stolen bases and 112 runs scored. Although it was his best season as far as batting average, his career-highs in steals and runs came earlier in his career: 53 steals (1909), 126 runs (1911).

Although he played mainly shortstop, he switched to playing second base sometimes in his final year with Detroit, and with Washington he tried out third as well. However, out of 1936 career games, he played shortstop 1867 times. In a 16-season career, he batted .250 with 9 home runs and 436 RBIs in 1946 games.. His amazing 1158 career bases on balls ranks him 55th on the all-time list. He accumulated 404 stolen bases and 1280 runs scored. He had .356 all-time on-base percentage with 186 doubles, 74 triples, and 1804 hits in 7210 career at bats.

Not until Kenny Lofton stole 66 bases in 1992 as a rookie, did Bush's American League rookie record of 52 steals get broken. His 404 career steals are 63rd all-time.

[edit] Managerial overview

Although he only managed for 7 seasons, one of them while playing, most say Bush will always be known first for managing.

Bush managed three different teams in his career, most notably the Pirates from 1927 to 1929, where he led them to the 1927 World Series in which they were crushed by the 1927 Yankees – considered one of the best teams of all time. During the Series, he benched future Hall of Famer Kiki Cuyler for a minor spat the two had had. Some said it was a grave mistake.

In his managerial career, he was 497-539 in 1045 career games, a .480 winning percentage. His best time as a manager came in Pittsburgh when he went 246-178 (.580), leading them to a pennant and a 2nd place finish, although he did not complete that year.

Bush went on to manage and own a Triple-A team in his home town of Indianapolis. He later scouted for the Red Sox and worked with the Chicago White Sox, completing 65 years in organized baseball.

Donie Bush died in Indianapolis at St. Vincent's Hospital after becoming ill while visiting spring training camps in Florida. He was 85.

Bush Stadium in Indianapolis used to be named Victory Field. It was changed to honor Donie Bush.

[edit] External links

• Baseball-Reference.com - career playing statistics and managing record
• The Deadball Era

Preceded by Clyde Milan	Washington Senators Manager 1923	Succeeded by Bucky Harris
Preceded by Bill McKechnie	Pittsburgh Pirates Managers 1927–1929	Succeeded by Jewel Ens
Preceded by Lena Blackburne	Chicago White Sox Manager 1930-1931	Succeeded by Lew Fonseca
Preceded by Dan Howley	Cincinnati Reds Manager 1933	Succeeded by Bob O'Farrell