Most interesting life? (common player T206)

[Chris-Counts]

When I saw the title of this thread, and the cards of Larry McLean and Doc Powers, I thought of two other catchers from the same era who lived very interesting lives, Boss Schmidt and Johnny Kling. Both were highly respected for their skills and played key roles on championship teams, although Kling was the better hitter.

While he was at the top of his game, Kling decided take a sabbatical to pursue billiards. After the Cubs won the 1908 World Series, he won the world billiards championship and opened a billiards hall. He later returned to baseball, but was fined for taking the time away.

After retiring, Kling became quite successful in the real estate business, taught and coached U.S. Army soldiers during WW1 as a volunteer, and many years later, bought the minor league Kansas City Blues, and eliminated segregated seating in their stadium (where the Monarchs played as well) long before other owners.

Also, Kling might have been one of baseball’s first Jewish stars, but apparently, he didn’t talk about it. These lines conclude his SABR biography by Gil Bogen and David W. Anderson: “He was a man with ideas who met challenges head on. He was a man with lofty ideals, a man before his time.”

Schmidt, meanwhile, famously fought his Tigers teammate, the cantankerous Ty Cobb, on at least two occasions, reportedly getting the best of an opponent who, in each case, truly deserved a licking. He also wrestled bears, performed feats of strength, may have sparred with champion boxer Jack Johnson, and broke his hand 30 times.

Sadly, Schmidt’s later years were nothing like Kling’s. He died in poverty in Altus, Arkansas, and was buried in an unmarked grave. But many years later, the town’s residents brought this to the attention of the Tigers. He was soon moved to a proper grave, and those who attended a memorial ceremony included Arkansas native and former Tigers great George Kell.