27 Facts About Marge Schott

Margaret Carolyn Schott was an American baseball executive.

Marge Schott was banned from managing the team by MLB in 1993 due to racist comments and again from 1996 through 1998 due to statements in support of German domestic policies of Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler, amongst other controversies over her beliefs; shortly afterwards, she sold the majority of her share in the team.

Marge Schott was born in Cincinnati, one of five daughters of Edward Henry Unnewehr and Charlotte.

Marge Schott attended parochial schools and graduated from the Sacred Heart Academy.

Marge Schott married Charles Schott, a member of a wealthy Cincinnati family, in 1952, and inherited his automobile dealerships and interests in other industries when he died of a heart attack in 1968.

Marge Schott had been a Reds fan for most of her life; from 1963 onward, she held an auction to raise money for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, attended by several Reds players.

In 1981, Marge Schott bought a minority interest in the Reds as part of a group headed by insurance magnates William and James Williams.

Marge Schott quickly became one of baseball's most publicly visible owners.

Marge Schott often allowed groups of children on the field to run to deep center field and back before the games would start, due to her love for children stemming from her inability to have any of her own.

Marge Schott was noted for always having Schottzie, her pet Saint Bernard, with her.

Marge Schott was criticized for not spending the money it would have taken to build the Reds into contenders.

Marge Schott was annoyed the team won the series in a "sweep".

Marge Schott fussed and refused to pay for any post-game celebration for the team.

Marge Schott's countersuit alleged that Sabo wrote unauthorized checks to himself and paid health insurance premiums to retired front-office employees.

Marge Schott explained that the swastika armband had been a gift from a former employee.

Marge Schott later stated that she did not like Asian kids "outdoing our kids" in high school.

In particular, Reds personnel had complained of her dogs' hair frequently getting stuck on their uniforms; Marge Schott believed this was a good-luck charm, and during their 1990 World Series run would send bags of his hair to the team facilities.

Marge Schott was known for not wanting to hire scouts, stating that "All they do is sit around and watch ball games," and, for the opening week of the 1996 season, refusing to post scores of other games on the Riverfront Stadium scoreboard.

In 1985, Marge Schott famously offered future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers to play for the Reds, on the condition that Fingers would shave off his iconic handlebar mustache.

In 1995 Marge Schott famously announced in the middle of the season that manager Davey Johnson would not return, regardless of how well the Reds did.

At an unknown time on an airplane, Marge Schott was allegedly approached by a woman who introduced herself as Edd Roush's granddaughter.

Marge Schott is recognized for her major donation to the Boy Scouts' Camp Friedlander that was used to create an 18-acre lake, christened 'Lake Marge Schott' in her honor.

Marge Schott was a generous contributor to special events at the University of Cincinnati, such as the annual Homecoming Parade.

Marge Schott was a long-time smoker; in 2001 she began to develop health problems.

Marge Schott was hospitalized twice for breathing problems and suffered from pneumonia in 2003.

Marge Schott's funeral was held at All Saints Catholic Church, in the Cincinnati suburb of Kenwood.

Marge Schott is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery wearing her signature red suit with an elephant brooch.