Gene Bremer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gene Bremer |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: July 18, 1916 New Orleans, Louisiana |
|||
| Died: June 19, 1971 (aged 54) Cleveland, Ohio |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| 1937, for the Cincinnati Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1948, for the Cleveland Buckeyes | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 33–22 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.05 | ||
| Strikeouts | 194 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Eugene "Gene" Joseph Bremer (born July 18, 1916 – died June 19, 1971) was a talented American baseball pitcher. He played in the Negro Leagues from 1932 to 1949.
Contents
- Gene Bremer's Pitching Style
- Gene Bremer's Baseball Journey
- Gene Bremer's Legacy
- A Note on Names
- See also
Gene Bremer's Pitching Style
Gene Bremer was a right-handed pitcher who stood 5 feet 8 inches tall. He had a unique way of pitching: he never used a windup. Instead, he threw the ball using an overhand curveball, which was a key part of his pitching style.
Gene Bremer's Baseball Journey
Starting His Career
Bremer began his baseball journey in 1932 with his hometown team, the New Orleans Crescent Stars. In 1935, he joined an independent team called the Shreveport Giants.
Playing for the Cincinnati Tigers
In 1936, Bremer joined the Cincinnati Tigers. He had a great year, winning 25 games and losing only 12. The Tigers then became one of the first teams in the new Negro American League in 1937. Bremer continued to play well, with a 5-1 record in league games.
An Integrated Team: Broadview Buffaloes
While playing for the Tigers, Bremer also played for the Broadview Buffaloes. This team was special because it included both Black and white players. Many historians believe the Buffaloes were one of the first integrated teams in all of Canada.
Time with the Memphis Red Sox
After the Cincinnati Tigers team ended in 1938, Bremer moved to the Memphis Red Sox. The Red Sox had a successful year, winning the first half of the Negro American League season. They then won the league championship against the Atlanta Black Crackers. In 1940, Bremer was chosen to be the starting pitcher for the West team in the important East–West All-Star Game.
Short Stays with Other Teams
Bremer also played briefly for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1938. He then went to Mexico in 1939 to play for the Monterrey Industriales in the Mexican League. After that, he returned to the Memphis Red Sox. He took a short break from baseball in 1941.
Joining the Cincinnati/Cleveland Buckeyes
A New Team in 1942
In 1942, Bremer joined the new Cincinnati Buckeyes, a team in the Negro American League. He had a strong season, winning 5 games and losing 1. His excellent play earned him a spot on the West All-Star team for the second time. He even started the second All-Star game that year.
A Tryout with the Cleveland Indians
In September 1942, there was news that Bremer and his teammate Sam Jethroe might get a tryout with the Cleveland Indians. This was a big deal because it was rare for Black players to try out for Major League Baseball teams at that time. However, the Indians' president quickly changed his mind. He said his scouts had seen them play and decided they weren't ready for the team.
A Serious Car Accident
On September 7, 1942, a car carrying some Buckeyes players crashed. Two of Bremer's teammates, Ulysses Brown and Smoky Owens, tragically died. Four other players, including Bremer, were hurt. Bremer was hospitalized with a fractured skull and a concussion, which meant he missed the rest of the season.
Moving to Cleveland in 1943
In 1943, the Buckeyes team moved to Cleveland. Bremer continued to play for them, finishing the season with 4 wins and 3 losses.
Back on the Field in 1944
Bremer was not accepted for military service in 1944, so he returned to play for the Buckeyes. He had a good year, winning 5 games and losing 2. He was also chosen for the All-Star Game again, where he pitched well.
A Championship Year: 1945
The 1945 season was a highlight for Gene Bremer. He was the top pitcher for the Buckeyes, winning 7 games and losing only 1. He earned another All-Star spot and helped lead the Buckeyes to the Negro World Series. In the World Series, Bremer was a hero in Game 2, helping his team win. The Buckeyes went on to sweep the Homestead Grays, winning the championship 4-0!
Later Years with the Buckeyes
After their championship year, Bremer faced some injuries in 1946. He still played for the Buckeyes but less often. In 1947, he mostly pitched as a relief player. The Buckeyes won their league championship again but lost the Negro League World Series to the New York Cubans. Bremer made only one appearance in 1948.
Leaving the Buckeyes in 1949
In 1949, the Buckeyes moved to Louisville. Bremer joined the team but later quit along with several other players. They left because they were not being paid their salaries.
Final Teams: Rochester and New Orleans
In 1949, Bremer also played for the semi-pro Rochester Royals. He struggled with his pitching there and even tried playing in left field before getting injured. He also returned to his hometown to play briefly for the independent New Orleans Creoles.
Gene Bremer's Legacy
Gene Bremer passed away at age 54 in Cleveland. He is buried in Bedford Heights, Ohio. In 2011, Lorain High School honored him by presenting a plaque to his family. Gene Bremer had eight children. One of his grandsons, J.R. Bremer, became a professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A Note on Names
Sometimes, Gene Bremer is confused with other baseball players named Gene Bremer. For example, there were twin brothers named Jack and Gene Bremer who played for a team called the Cedar Rapids Rockets in 1949. However, these brothers were not related to the Gene Bremer who played in the Negro Leagues.
See also
- 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes Season
- 1945 Negro League World Series
- East-West All-Star Game
