Big Bill Lange

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Posted By: jamie

Does anyone have any photographs of Bill Lange or know what he was doing after his playing career ending?

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Posted By: Rhys

He met a girl who was the daughter of a wealthy Bay Area Businessman. He wanted to marry her but the dad would not give his daughters hand to a ballplayer, so he retired from ball and went into business with his new father in law doing real estate and insurance for years. He eventually got divorced from the girl anyways and scouted for the Reds and then coached at Standford University. Also, a little known fact is that George High Pockets Kelly, the Hall of Famer, is his nephew.

I have some pictures and even a scan of his autograph somewhere. Truly one of the more interesting figures of 19th century baseball. I am not sure what he did from around the 1930's until he died in 1950, but probably similar type businesses.

Rhys

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Posted By: jamie

wow, thanks! the knowledge of this board never ceases to astound

i read a lot of comparisons of him to some of the early greats and i was wondering why his career was so short.

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Posted By: kevin pope

Bill Lange was destined to be a HOFer. His stats were consistent and impressive. Rhys was correct about his dealings after baseball. He lived in California and his nephew was George Lange Kelly. Kelly's middle name obviously was a tribute to Bill. He lived a fairly long life and signed quite a few documents. I have some real estate papers signed by both Bill Lange and George Kelly, as Bill sold some of his property to George in the 1930's. He apparently scouted as well, and his signature has appeared in vintage autograph albums along with current players of that time.I do not have aphoto of him, but I have seen a photo of him in the later years of his life, but nothing from his playing days.