Bugs Reisigl

{{short description|American baseball player (1887-1957)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Bugs Reisigl

|position=Pitcher

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date|1887|12|12}}

|birth_place=Brooklyn, New York

|death_date={{death date and age|1957|9|28|1887|12|12}}

|death_place=Amsterdam, New York

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate= September 20

|debutyear= 1911

|debutteam= Cleveland Naps

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=September 28

|finalyear=1911

|finalteam= Cleveland Naps

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=0–1

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=6.23

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=6

|teams=

• Cleveland Naps ({{mlby|1911}})

}}

Jacob "Bugs" Reisigl (December 12, 1887 – February 24, 1957) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for one season. He pitched in two games for the Cleveland Naps during the 1911 Cleveland Naps season.

Reisigl began his professional career with the New Haven club of the Connecticut State League in 1909.{{cite web |title=Bugs Reisigl Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reisig001jac |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=21 December 2024 |language=en}} Reisigl clashed with management and teammates throughout his time in New Haven. In June 1909, he was suspended indefinitely by manager George Bone because he had "been acting badly for a week" and "talking as bad as he acted." The suspension was intended to allow him time "to sober off."{{cite news |title=Jack Reisigl Is Suspended |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-journal/79311124/ |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=Record-Journal |date=14 June 1909 |pages=7}} After he returned to the team that summer, he was beat up by teammates when captain Elmer Zacher caught him fraternizing with the opposing team.{{cite news |title=Bone's Players Beat up Reisigl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant/66882032/ |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=Hartford Courant |date=6 August 1909 |pages=12}} The following June, manager Bill Carrick suspended him again for insubordination after he refused to travel with the team for a series in Hartford.{{cite news |title=Bugs Reisigl Suspended |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant/66875373/ |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=Hartford Courant |date=6 June 1910 |pages=11}}

In August 1911, the Cleveland Naps agreed to buy Reisigl's contract from New Haven for $3,000 ({{Inflation|US|3000|1911|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) and to send them a pitcher and catcher on whom they would spend another $1,500.{{cite news |title=Bugs Reisigl Is Sold to Cleveland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bridgeport-times-and-evening-farmer/63636202/ |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer |date=14 August 1911 |pages=7}} After the end of New Haven's season, Reisigl made his Major League debut on September 21, 1911 at Hilltop Park against the New York Yankees. With Vice President of the United States James S. Sherman in attendance and fellow rookie Steve O'Neill behind the plate, Reisigl pitched well until allowing a sixth-inning home run to Hal Chase. The game was ended after the seventh inning due to darkness and Reisigl took the loss.{{cite news |title=Chase Gets Home Run off Reisigl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant/66855967/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=Hartford Courant |date=21 September 1911 |pages=19}} Nonetheless, The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer reported that manager George Stovall "favorably commented on" his pitching.{{cite news |title=Reisigl Is Defeated by Chace's Hit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bridgeport-times-and-evening-farmer/66855219/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer |date=21 September 1911 |pages=7}} He pitched his second and final Major League on September 28, throwing the final six innings in relief of Gene Krapp in a loss to the Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park.{{cite web |title=Cleveland Naps vs Philadelphia Athletics Box Score: September 28, 1911 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA191109280.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=22 December 2024 |language=en}}

In December 1911, it was reported that Cleveland would be returning Reisigl to New Haven. New Haven's owner, George Cameron, spoke openly to the press about his mixed feelings about Reisigl's return. He said, "He is too eccentric. If I get a chance to sell him I will sell him. And then again I may keep him."{{cite news |title=Bugs Reisigl to Rejoin New Haven |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bridgeport-times-and-evening-farmer/66893105/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer |date=11 December 1911 |pages=7}} Reisigl fired back in an open letter before the start of the season, writing "I wouldn't sign a contract for Cameron for a salary of $500 per month, as I know that he would suspend me and get it all back again, that is why I call him the cheapest manager for whom I ever played ball."{{cite news |last1=Wagner |title=Jimmy O'Rourke May Be Traded by Columbus Club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bridgeport-times-and-evening-farmer/66859726/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer |date=21 March 1912 |pages=7}} Before the end of April, however, he did report to the team. He did not comment on his earlier open letter, instead saying, "Mr. Cameron and I are the warmest friends."{{cite news |title=Bugs Reisigl has reported |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-union-bugs-reisigl-has-repor/161346936/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The Morning Union |date=25 April 1912 |pages=16}}