Greetings, baseball enthusiasts! Today, we delve into the enigmatic life and controversial reign of Marge Schott, the former owner of the Cincinnati Reds. Known for her strong personality and outspoken views, Schott’s tenure as owner was marked by both success and scandal, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the game.
Margaret Schott was born in 1928 and inherited the Reds from her father, Charles Schott, in 1984. As the team’s principal owner, she quickly became one of the most recognizable figures in baseball. Under her leadership, the Reds achieved several milestones, including winning the World Series in 1990. However, Schott’s outspoken nature and inflammatory remarks repeatedly made headlines, igniting controversy and drawing criticism.
Schott’s most infamous transgressions included using racial and ethnic slurs, making anti-Semitic remarks, and expressing support for Adolf Hitler. Her comments sparked outrage and led to sanctions from Major League Baseball, which suspended her from the game on multiple occasions. Despite the controversies, Schott’s loyal fan base stood by her, cheering her as “Margie” and defending her First Amendment rights. However, her legacy remains a complex and polarizing one, prompting ongoing debates about the limits of free speech and the responsibilities of team owners.
Marge Schott’s Ownership of the Cincinnati Reds
Her Early Life and Career
Marjorie Schott was born on March 18, 1928, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father, Otto Hoffheimer, was a successful businessman, and her mother, Mary, was a homemaker. Schott attended the University of Cincinnati, where she studied business. In 1952, she married Charles Schott, a local businessman and the owner of the Cincinnati Reds. The couple had three children.
Schott played an active role in her husband’s business ventures. She helped him manage the Reds and was instrumental in the team’s success. In 1984, Charles Schott died of a heart attack, and Marge Schott inherited the Reds. She became the first woman to own a Major League Baseball team.
Schott was a controversial owner. She was known for her outspoken personality and her often-outspoken views. She was also known for her frugality, and she often clashed with players and managers over salaries. In 1996, Schott was suspended from baseball for making racially insensitive remarks. She was reinstated in 1998, but she never regained her previous level of authority.
Schott’s ownership of the Reds was a tumultuous period in the team’s history. The team won the World Series in 1990, but it also struggled during her tenure. Schott was criticized for her management style, and she was eventually forced to sell the team in 2000.
Schott’s Impact on the Team
Winning and Losing
In 1990, under Schott’s ownership, the Reds achieved their greatest triumph, winning the World Series. This victory capped a remarkable season for the team, which had finished with a 91-71 record, the best in the National League. The Reds’ success was fueled by a potent offense that featured Eric Davis, Paul O’Neill, and Barry Larkin. The pitching staff was anchored by Jose Rijo, who won 16 games and was named the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player.
However, Schott’s ownership also coincided with some of the darkest days in Reds history. In 1994, the team plummeted to a 55-107 record, the worst in franchise history. The season was marred by injuries and a lack of leadership. Schott’s controversial remarks and unpopular decisions further alienated the team and its fans.
After the disappointing 1994 season, Schott was forced to sell the Reds. The team was then purchased by a group of local investors led by Carl Lindner Jr. Lindner vowed to restore the Reds to prominence, and he quickly made several key changes. He hired a new general manager, hired a new manager and hired several new coaches. Lindner also invested heavily in player development, and the Reds soon began to show signs of improvement.
Within a few years, the Reds were back in contention for the World Series. In 1999, they won the National League Central Division and advanced to the playoffs. The Reds continued to be a competitive team under Lindner’s ownership, and they eventually won another World Series title in 2012.
Schott’s ownership of the Reds was a tumultuous period in the team’s history. He was a controversial figure who alienated many fans and players. However, he was also instrumental in the Reds’ World Series victory in 1990. Ultimately, Schott’s legacy is a mixed bag, and his tenure as owner will always be remembered for both its highs and lows.
Schott’s Legacy
Complex and Contested
Marge Schott’s legacy as an owner of the Cincinnati Reds remains complex and contested even decades after her tenure. She was a polarizing figure both during her life and in the years since, leaving a lasting impact on the baseball world and beyond.
During her ownership of the Reds, Schott was widely respected for her business acumen and her devotion to the team. Under her leadership, the Reds won two World Series championships (1975 and 1976) and several other pennants. She also became the first woman to own a professional baseball team in the United States.
However, Schott’s legacy is equally marked by controversy. She was known for making racially insensitive remarks, which ultimately led to her being banned from baseball for two years by Major League Baseball. Her comments and actions caused widespread outrage, tarnishing the Reds’ reputation and polarizing fans and players alike.
Racism and Controversy
Schott’s most infamous legacy is her history of racist remarks and actions. In 1993, she was suspended from baseball after making disparaging comments about African American and Asian players. She also drew criticism for her association with neo-Nazi groups and the Ku Klux Klan.
Schott’s racist views and behavior were deeply offensive to many fans, players, and colleagues. Her comments not only damaged the reputation of the Reds but also contributed to a larger national conversation about race and discrimination in sports.
A Strident Supporter of Baseball
Despite the controversy surrounding her, Schott was also known for her unwavering support of baseball. She invested heavily in the Reds organization, including the construction of a new ballpark (Riverfront Stadium) and the development of a farm system. Her dedication to the team was evident in her willingness to spend money and her commitment to winning.
Schott’s passion for baseball extended beyond the Reds. She was a vocal advocate for youth baseball programs and served on the board of Little League Baseball. Her contributions to the sport, both on and off the field, helped to leave a lasting legacy in the baseball community.
A Legacy That Continues to Be Debated
Marge Schott’s complex legacy continues to be debated today. Some fans remember her as a successful owner who helped build a championship-winning team. Others view her as a symbol of racism and intolerance whose legacy should be erased.
Schott’s impact on the Reds and baseball as a whole is undeniable. Her ownership was marked by both triumph and controversy, and her legacy will continue to be a topic of discussion for years to come.
The Fight to Sell the Reds
Legal Battles and Scandals
Marge Schott’s ownership of the Cincinnati Reds was plagued by controversies and scandals. Her outspoken views and insensitive remarks drew widespread criticism, causing many to question her fitness to own a professional sports team. As a result, Schott faced mounting pressure to sell the Reds, culminating in a bitter legal battle with the team’s minority owners.
In 1994, Schott was suspended by Major League Baseball for making racially insensitive comments. The suspension was upheld by a federal court and went into effect in 1996. During her suspension, Schott’s son, Bob Schott, was appointed as the team’s CEO. However, Bob Schott proved to be unable to control his mother’s behavior, and she continued to make offensive remarks. As a result, the Reds’ minority owners filed a lawsuit against Marge Schott, seeking to force her to sell the team.
The legal battle was heated and protracted. Schott’s attorneys argued that she was being unfairly targeted because of her gender and her outspokenness. They also claimed that the minority owners were trying to seize control of the team without paying fair value. The minority owners, on the other hand, maintained that Schott’s behavior was damaging the Reds’ reputation and that she was unfit to own the team.
In 1999, a federal court ruled in favor of the minority owners. The court found that Schott had violated her fiduciary duties to the team and that she had engaged in conduct that was detrimental to the Reds’ business. The court ordered Schott to sell 51% of the team’s shares within a year. Schott reluctantly agreed to sell, and the Reds were sold in 2000 to a new ownership group led by Carl Lindner.
The Final Chapter
The turbulent reign of Marge Schott as owner of the Cincinnati Reds came to an end in 1999 when she was forced to sell the team. The decision was made by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig after Schott repeatedly violated the league’s rules and policies. Her sale of the Reds marked a turning point in the franchise’s history, paving the way for a new era of ownership and success.
Forced Sale
The forced sale of the Reds was the culmination of years of controversy surrounding Schott’s ownership. She had been fined and suspended multiple times for making racially insensitive and sexist remarks. In 1993, she was found guilty of verbal abuse and fined $25,000. In 1996, she was suspended for two years for remarks she made about African Americans and Jews. The suspension was subsequently reduced to one year by an arbitrator.
Commissioner Selig had warned Schott that if she violated the league’s rules again, she would be forced to sell the Reds. In 1999, she made a series of unauthorized comments about the team’s players and was fined $100,000. This was the final straw for Selig, who ordered Schott to sell the team within 30 days.
Later Years
After selling the Reds, Schott lived a quiet life in Cincinnati. She died in 2004 at the age of 75. Her legacy as owner of the Reds remains a complex one. She was a controversial figure who often made headlines for the wrong reasons. However, she was also a passionate fan of the team and was committed to winning. Under her ownership, the Reds won two World Series championships, in 1975 and 1976.
The sale of the Reds in 1999 marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise. The team has since become one of the most successful in baseball, winning another World Series championship in 2010. The Reds are now owned by a group of investors led by Bob Castellini. Castellini has overseen a period of stability and success for the team. The Reds have been to the playoffs multiple times under his ownership and have consistently been one of the top teams in the National League.