Philip Bartelme
Encyclopedia
Philip George Bartelme also known as P.G. Bartelme and sometimes spelled "Barthelme", was the second athletic director of the University of Michigan
, holding the position from 1909-1921. Bartelme is credited with bringing the sports of basketball, hockey and swimming to varsity status at Michigan and with leading Michigan back into the Big Ten Conference
after its withdrawal in 1907. The only athletic directors to serve a longer tenure at Michigan are Fielding H. Yost (1921-1940), Fritz Crisler
(1941-1968), and Don Canham
(1968-1988). After leaving Michigan in 1921, Bartelme spent the rest of his career in the world of professional baseball, serving as the president of the Syracuse Stars
(1922-1925), the head of the St. Louis Cardinals
' farm system in the 1930s, president of the Sacramento Solons
(1936-1944), and a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Bartelme's baseball career was closely tied to that of Branch Rickey
, who Bartelme had hired as Michigan's baseball coach in 1910.
. On November 1, 1902, Michigan played Wisconsin at Marshall Field in Chicago before a crowd of 23,000 persons. The stadium became so densely packed that one of the temporary grandstands hastily erected to support 400 persons collapsed, injuring several persons. The game was stopped for ten minutes while order was restored, and Bartelme immediately gave the order that no more tickets were to be sold. Thousands were turned away.
Bartelme became Michigan's second athletic director in 1909 following the resignation of Charles A. Baird
. He was appointed to the position on March 24, 1909 by the university's Board of Regents at a salary of $2,700 per year. He took over the position on July 1, 1909.
1909.
When Bartelme took over as athletic director, Michigan had withdrawn from the Western Conference. One of his principle accomplishments was the return of Michigan to the conference. In September 1909, Barthelme made his views known:
He noted that the "training table" was the biggest obstacle to Michigan's rejoining the conference. Bartelme noted that the training table was "a great factor in getting the men into the condition necessary for hard football" and avoiding serious injuries.
Bartelme is credited with bringing the sports of basketball, hockey and swimming to varsity status at Michigan He also oversaw the construction of the Athletic Administration Building and hired the university's first full-time director of intramural sports.
In 1921, Bartelme led an investigation to determine whether Vernon Parks
, the captain of Michigan's baseball team and leading pitcher in the Big Ten Conference, had played baseball for Portland in the Pacific Coast League
under the assumed name, Harold Brooks. Barthelme noted, "This Brooks won 90 percent of his games I am told. I have seen his picture and I am certain he is really Vernon Parks, our star pitcher. If the charges are true, there is no doubt that the University of Michigan will take drastic action." Parks admitted to Bartelme that he had played for Portland and at the same time resigned from the Michigan team.
While serving as athletic director, Bartelme was responsible for giving Branch Rickey
his start in baseball administration. Michigan's baseball coach quit in 1910, and Rickey, who was then a law student at Michigan, applied for the job. Rickey asked every alumnus he had ever met to write letters to Bartelme on his behalf. Bartelme recalled, "Day after day those letters came in." Bartelme was reportedly impressed with Rickey's passion for baseball and his idealism about the proper role of athletics on a college campus. Bartelme convinced the dean of the law school that Rickey could handle his law studies and serving as the school's baseball coach. Bartelme reportedly called Rickey into his office to tell him he had the job if only "to put a stop to those damn letters that come in every day." The hiring also marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship and business relationship between Rickey and Bartelme. Bartelme and Rickey worked together for most of the next 35 years, and in 1944 a California newspaper noted: "He and Rickey have had a close association in baseball ever since Bartelme was head of the athletic department of the University of Michigan where Rickey took to baseball just as a means to build up his failing health."
baseball club of the International League
. John Conway Toole, president of the league, said at the time, "Mr. Bartelme was a high type sportsman and would be a valuable addition to the league." Bartelme joined his friend Branch Rickey as a partner in ownership of the Stars. In late 1923, Bartelme and Rickey proposed moving the Syracuse team to Montreal. However, the Stars remained in Syracuse with Bartelme acting as the club's president from 1922-1925.
Bartelme sold his interest in the Stars in January 1926. At the time of the sale, the Syracuse Herald praised Bartelme for his contributions to Syracuse baseball:
Among Bartelme's most profitable moves was his sale of slugger Jim Bottomley
to the St. Louis Cardinals for $30,000. The Stars had acquired Bottomley for $1,000, and he quickly became a sensation while playing for the Stars.
. Bartelme invested considerable money in a firm constructing hollow brick tile for the building business in Florida. With Florida experiencing a building boom in 1926, Bartelme reported that he felt that his entire time must be devoted to his new business.
By 1929, press accounts identified Bartelme as assistant to Rickey for minor league relations. Bartelme continued to serve as vice president in charge of the Cardinals' minor league operations during Rickey's time in St. Louis. In December 1935, press accounts referred to him as the head of the Cardinals' chain of baseball farm teams.
During Bartelme's tenure, the Cardinals' farm system produced the stars who would form the core of the Gashouse Gang
teams of the 1930s, including Pepper Martin
, Dizzy Dean
and Joe Medwick
-- players who were integral parts of the 1934 Cardinals team that won the World Series. The farm system operated by Rickey and Bartelme was so successful that Commissioner of Baseball
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
twice released over 70 of the Cardinals' minor leaguer players. Nevertheless, Rickey and Bartelme's farm system remained, and similar systems were adopted by every major league team within a few years.
of the Pacific Coast League
in December 1935, Bartelme was sent to California to take over as the club president. Bartelme was president of the Solons from January 1936 until February 1944, when the Cardinals pulled out of their interest in the Sacramento club. The Oakland Tribune noted that Bartelme was "one of the finest men in baseball and is well liked in Sacramento." The Tribunes sports editor, Lee Dunbar, referred to Bartelme as "one of my favorite people."
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, holding the position from 1909-1921. Bartelme is credited with bringing the sports of basketball, hockey and swimming to varsity status at Michigan and with leading Michigan back into the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
after its withdrawal in 1907. The only athletic directors to serve a longer tenure at Michigan are Fielding H. Yost (1921-1940), Fritz Crisler
Fritz Crisler
Herbert Orin "Fritz" Crisler was an American football coach who is best known as "the father of two-platoon football," an innovation in which separate units of players were used for offense and defense. Crisler developed two-platoon football while serving as head coach at the University of...
(1941-1968), and Don Canham
Don Canham
Donald Canham was a track and field athlete and coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the athletic director at the University of Michigan from 1968 to 1988. There, he became nationally renowned for his ability to market and sell products bearing the name or logo of the school...
(1968-1988). After leaving Michigan in 1921, Bartelme spent the rest of his career in the world of professional baseball, serving as the president of the Syracuse Stars
Syracuse Stars (minor league baseball)
The Syracuse Stars was the name of several Minor league baseball teams who played between 1891 and 1929. The Stars were based in Syracuse, New York and played in the New York State League , Eastern Association , Eastern League , International League , International Association , and New...
(1922-1925), the head of the 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...
' farm system in the 1930s, president of the Sacramento Solons
Sacramento Solons
The Sacramento Solons were a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Pacific Coast League during several periods . The current Sacramento River Cats began play in 2000...
(1936-1944), and a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Bartelme's baseball career was closely tied to that of Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
, who Bartelme had hired as Michigan's baseball coach in 1910.
University of Michigan
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Bartelme was a student manager for the 1902 Michigan Wolverines football team1902 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1902 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1902 college football season. In their second year under head coach Fielding H. Yost, Michigan finished the season undefeated with an 11–0 record, outscored their opponents by a combined score of 644 to...
. On November 1, 1902, Michigan played Wisconsin at Marshall Field in Chicago before a crowd of 23,000 persons. The stadium became so densely packed that one of the temporary grandstands hastily erected to support 400 persons collapsed, injuring several persons. The game was stopped for ten minutes while order was restored, and Bartelme immediately gave the order that no more tickets were to be sold. Thousands were turned away.
Bartelme became Michigan's second athletic director in 1909 following the resignation of Charles A. Baird
Charles A. Baird
Charles A. Baird was an American football manager, university athletic director, and banker.He was the manager of the University of Michigan football team from 1893 to 1895 and the school's first athletic director from 1898 to 1909. During his time as Michigan's athletic director, he was...
. He was appointed to the position on March 24, 1909 by the university's Board of Regents at a salary of $2,700 per year. He took over the position on July 1, 1909.
1909.
When Bartelme took over as athletic director, Michigan had withdrawn from the Western Conference. One of his principle accomplishments was the return of Michigan to the conference. In September 1909, Barthelme made his views known:
"I always have thought that Michigan's place is in the conference, and moreover, I have thought that when conditions were so we could return, it would be the only thing for us to do. However, I am not so sure that that time has come."
He noted that the "training table" was the biggest obstacle to Michigan's rejoining the conference. Bartelme noted that the training table was "a great factor in getting the men into the condition necessary for hard football" and avoiding serious injuries.
Bartelme is credited with bringing the sports of basketball, hockey and swimming to varsity status at Michigan He also oversaw the construction of the Athletic Administration Building and hired the university's first full-time director of intramural sports.
In 1921, Bartelme led an investigation to determine whether Vernon Parks
Slicker Parks
Vernon Henry "Slicker" Parks was an American baseball player. He played Major League Baseball player for the Detroit Tigers in 1921 and also played college baseball for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team and minor league baseball for the Portland Beavers , Seattle Indians , Syracuse Stars ,...
, the captain of Michigan's baseball team and leading pitcher in the Big Ten Conference, had played baseball for Portland in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
under the assumed name, Harold Brooks. Barthelme noted, "This Brooks won 90 percent of his games I am told. I have seen his picture and I am certain he is really Vernon Parks, our star pitcher. If the charges are true, there is no doubt that the University of Michigan will take drastic action." Parks admitted to Bartelme that he had played for Portland and at the same time resigned from the Michigan team.
Relationship with Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
his start in baseball administration. Michigan's baseball coach quit in 1910, and Rickey, who was then a law student at Michigan, applied for the job. Rickey asked every alumnus he had ever met to write letters to Bartelme on his behalf. Bartelme recalled, "Day after day those letters came in." Bartelme was reportedly impressed with Rickey's passion for baseball and his idealism about the proper role of athletics on a college campus. Bartelme convinced the dean of the law school that Rickey could handle his law studies and serving as the school's baseball coach. Bartelme reportedly called Rickey into his office to tell him he had the job if only "to put a stop to those damn letters that come in every day." The hiring also marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship and business relationship between Rickey and Bartelme. Bartelme and Rickey worked together for most of the next 35 years, and in 1944 a California newspaper noted: "He and Rickey have had a close association in baseball ever since Bartelme was head of the athletic department of the University of Michigan where Rickey took to baseball just as a means to build up his failing health."
Syracuse Stars
In 1922, Bartelme purchased a one-half interest in the Syracuse StarsSyracuse Stars
The Syracuse Stars were a minor professional ice hockey team from Syracuse, New York, existing for 10 season from 1930 to 1940. The Stars name had previously been used by sports teams, including several Syracuse Stars baseball teams from the 19th century....
baseball club of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. John Conway Toole, president of the league, said at the time, "Mr. Bartelme was a high type sportsman and would be a valuable addition to the league." Bartelme joined his friend Branch Rickey as a partner in ownership of the Stars. In late 1923, Bartelme and Rickey proposed moving the Syracuse team to Montreal. However, the Stars remained in Syracuse with Bartelme acting as the club's president from 1922-1925.
Bartelme sold his interest in the Stars in January 1926. At the time of the sale, the Syracuse Herald praised Bartelme for his contributions to Syracuse baseball:
"Bartelme worked hand in hand with the Cardinals club during his three years and a half here and gave Syracuse the best baseball it has ever enjoyed."
Among Bartelme's most profitable moves was his sale of slugger Jim Bottomley
Jim Bottomley
James Leroy Bottomley was born in Oglesby, Illinois and grew up in Nokomis, Illinois. Nicknamed "Sunny Jim" because of his cheerful disposition, he was a left-handed Major League Baseball player. He also served as player-manager for the St. Louis Browns in 1937.-Career:As a first baseman for the...
to the St. Louis Cardinals for $30,000. The Stars had acquired Bottomley for $1,000, and he quickly became a sensation while playing for the Stars.
Brick tile business in Florida
Upon selling his interest in the Syracuse Stars, Bartleme went into business with a manufacturing concern in St. Augustine, FloridaSt. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
. Bartelme invested considerable money in a firm constructing hollow brick tile for the building business in Florida. With Florida experiencing a building boom in 1926, Bartelme reported that he felt that his entire time must be devoted to his new business.
St. Louis Cardinals
In March 1928, Bartelme and Branch Rickey purchased the Dayton baseball franchise in the new Central League, and Bartelme became the club's president. According to a biography of Rickey, Bartelme was set back by "business losses in Florida" and was brought to St. Louis by Rickey as an office administrator.By 1929, press accounts identified Bartelme as assistant to Rickey for minor league relations. Bartelme continued to serve as vice president in charge of the Cardinals' minor league operations during Rickey's time in St. Louis. In December 1935, press accounts referred to him as the head of the Cardinals' chain of baseball farm teams.
During Bartelme's tenure, the Cardinals' farm system produced the stars who would form the core of the Gashouse Gang
Gashouse Gang
The Gashouse Gang was a nickname applied to the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team of .The Cardinals, by most accounts, earned this nickname from the team's generally very shabby appearance and rough-and-tumble tactics...
teams of the 1930s, including Pepper Martin
Pepper Martin
Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin was an American professional baseball player and minor league manager. He was known as the Wild Horse of the Osage because of his daring, aggressive baserunning abilities. Martin played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman and an outfielder for the St...
, Dizzy Dean
Dizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
and Joe Medwick
Joe Medwick
Joseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
-- players who were integral parts of the 1934 Cardinals team that won the World Series. The farm system operated by Rickey and Bartelme was so successful that Commissioner of Baseball
Commissioner of Baseball
The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
twice released over 70 of the Cardinals' minor leaguer players. Nevertheless, Rickey and Bartelme's farm system remained, and similar systems were adopted by every major league team within a few years.
Sacramento Solons
When the Cardinals purchased the Sacramento SolonsSacramento Solons
The Sacramento Solons were a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Pacific Coast League during several periods . The current Sacramento River Cats began play in 2000...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
in December 1935, Bartelme was sent to California to take over as the club president. Bartelme was president of the Solons from January 1936 until February 1944, when the Cardinals pulled out of their interest in the Sacramento club. The Oakland Tribune noted that Bartelme was "one of the finest men in baseball and is well liked in Sacramento." The Tribunes sports editor, Lee Dunbar, referred to Bartelme as "one of my favorite people."