Judge Fuchs and the Boston Braves, 1923-1935

by Wayne Soini and Robert S. Fuchs

In late 1922, Judge Emil Fuchs purchased the woebegone Boston Braves--primarily to bring his ailing friend, Christy Mathewson, back into the game he loved so much. A true fan, Judge Fuchs poured his fortune into the team, intent on giving Boston's long-suffering National League fans a winner. He introduced Ladies' Days, contracted to have Braves games broadcast on radio, and successfully campaigned to allow Sunday baseball in Boston. Moreover,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786404825
• ISBN13: 9780786404827
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 165 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A must-read for any fan of baseball history.

If you have a passion for baseball history, or even a passing-interest in the subject, this is a must-read book. In 1999, most baseball teams are owned by media companies, or the mega-wealthy. This book recalls a time when an individual of modest wealth could own and operate a team. More importantly, it recounts the behind-the scenes discussions that resulted in important baseball decisions. The faithful description of what actually transpired when Judge Fuchs acquired the Braves, and when the Babe made the decision to return to Boston, transports the reader back in time. Most of all, this book describes a time when owners cared more about baseball than their own amitions. Be sure to pick up this book! Herb Crehan

Review by Richard Miller, SCD columnist

"Judge Emil Fuchs purchased the underachieving Boston Braves late in 1922, primarily to bring his ailing friend, Christy Mattewson, back into baseball as the club president. Although Fuchs was a fan at heart, he did manage the Braves for one season and gave Boston a competitive team climaxed by the Brave's dramatic pennant race with the New York Giants in 1933. The Great Depression weakened Fuchs' financial position and he was forced to sell the Braves in 1935. Fuchs' son, Robert S. Fuchs, with the aid of his father's unpublished memoirs and his own Braves scrapbooks, writes an engaging portrait of his father, and the Boston Braves. Judge Fuchs was a former semipro catcher and respected New York attorney. Although the Braves never won a pennant during his 13 years as owner, Fuchs contributed greatly to the game, bringing Sunday baseball (which caused quite a flap in Boston), Ladies Day, radio broadcasts and the "Knot Hole Game" to the Braves Field. Among his first decisions was to increase players' salaries. The team payroll increased in his first year as owner from $80,000 to $200,000. Fuchs announced, "The older players are to receive a raise of $1,000 to $2,000, the first year men from the minor leagues a boost of 25 to 50 percent." He began a profit- sharing plan in which the players shared in profits "without any responsibility in losses. Author Robert Fuchs, now an attorney, also had his "day" in baseball. When he was made the president of the Braves' farm team in Harrisburgh in 1934, after serving two years as club business manager, he was asked what changed with the new position. He replied, "I get to drive the team bus." " Judge Fuchs and the Boston Braves, 1923-1935. Robert S. Fuchs and Wayne Soini, MacFarland & Co., 1998, original trade paperback, 157 pages, black-and-white photos, appendices, index, $23.50.

GREAT

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME !!! YOU SHOULD READ IT !!!

Fascinating and informative book for baseball lovers!

This is an excellent book. It is extremely well-written and very informative. Fascinating and enjoyable to read the contributions of Judge Fuchs to baseball and to read about the players I grew up with and loved! This book is a must read for baseball fans young and old!