Donie Bush

Shortstop
  • Card series: Pilgrims
  • City: Detroit
  • Team: Tigers
  • League: American League

Owen Joseph Bush (1887-1972) played in the Deadball Era instead of the Moneyball Era, hence he isn’t held in the esteem his record would enjoy today. The diminutive SS wrote the book on small ball, a keen eye enabling him to lead the league in walks five times. He hit .250 but was so adept at getting on base he was at or near the top in runs scored. Legends grow around the sluggers who drive in the runs, but Donie was out there for Cobb, Crawford and Heilmann to pick up. Equally proficient at short, Bush had a lifetime .937 fielding % and still owns the record for 425 putouts in 1914. In addition, his speed produced over 400 stolen bases.

  • “Donie” was a misprint for his real nickname, Ownie, but it stuck
  • Clark Griffith recognized managerial talent and hired Bush for the ’23 season. Bush then had the “thrill” of taking the Pirates to the ’27 Series against the Yankee bombers and being swept
  • Bush continued in baseball, compiling a 65-year career and was beloved in his home Indianapolis

Auction History

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T201 Mecca Canvas: John McLean