Les Mann
Encyclopedia
Leslie Mann was a professional baseball player who played outfield
in the Major Leagues from 1913-1928. He played for the Boston Braves
, St. Louis Cardinals
, Cincinnati Reds
, New York Giants
, and Chicago Cubs
.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska
, Mann was a member of the 1914 "Miracle" Braves
team that went from last place to first place in two months, becoming the first team to win a pennant
after being in last place on the Fourth of July. The team then went on to defeat Connie Mack's
heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics
in the 1914 World Series
. After retiring as a player, Mann became an advocate for baseball as an international sport. He founded the U.S.A. Baseball Congress, and organized a 20 game tour of Japan
in 1935.
Through his efforts, baseball was selected as a demonstration sport in the 1936 Summer Olympics
played in Berlin
. Originally, the United States team was scheduled to play a Japanese team, but the Japanese withdrew. The American team was separated into two squads who competed against each other in a single game. The "World Champions" lineup beat the "U. S. Olympics" lineup by a score of 6-5 before a crowd of 90,000 people on August 12, 1936.
Mann went on to found the International Baseball Federation, which organized an international championship in England in 1938. The English team, composed mainly of Canadian college players, won 4 out of 5 games against an amateur American team. He also organized subsequent championships in Cuba in 1939 and Puerto Rico in 1941. World War II brought Mann's efforts to an end.
He died in Pasadena, California
.
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
in the Major Leagues from 1913-1928. He played for the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
, Mann was a member of the 1914 "Miracle" Braves
1914 Boston Braves season
The 1914 Boston Braves was a season in American baseball. The team finished first in the National League, winning the pennant by 10½ games over the New York Giants...
team that went from last place to first place in two months, becoming the first team to win a pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
after being in last place on the Fourth of July. The team then went on to defeat Connie Mack's
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics
1914 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season was a season in American baseball. It involved the A's finishing first in the American League with a record of 99 wins and 53 losses...
in the 1914 World Series
1914 World Series
In the 1914 World Series, the Boston Braves beat the Philadelphia Athletics in a four-game sweep.A contender for greatest upset of all time, the "Miracle Braves" were in last place on July 4, then roared on to win the National League pennant by games and sweep the stunned Athletics...
. After retiring as a player, Mann became an advocate for baseball as an international sport. He founded the U.S.A. Baseball Congress, and organized a 20 game tour of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1935.
Through his efforts, baseball was selected as a demonstration sport in the 1936 Summer Olympics
Baseball at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Baseball was again a demonstration sport at the 1936 Summer Olympics after a 24 year absence. Both of the teams that played in Berlin were from the United States....
played in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. Originally, the United States team was scheduled to play a Japanese team, but the Japanese withdrew. The American team was separated into two squads who competed against each other in a single game. The "World Champions" lineup beat the "U. S. Olympics" lineup by a score of 6-5 before a crowd of 90,000 people on August 12, 1936.
Mann went on to found the International Baseball Federation, which organized an international championship in England in 1938. The English team, composed mainly of Canadian college players, won 4 out of 5 games against an amateur American team. He also organized subsequent championships in Cuba in 1939 and Puerto Rico in 1941. World War II brought Mann's efforts to an end.
He died in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions