Ross Horning

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| honorific_prefix =

| name = Ross Horning

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| birth_date = {{birth date|1920|10|10}}

| birth_place = Watertown, South Dakota, US

| death_date = {{death date and age |2005|4|1|1920|10|10}}

| death_place = Omaha, Nebraska, US

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| sub_discipline = Russian history

| workplaces = {{ubl|Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire|Saint John's University|Creighton University}}

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| alma_mater = {{ubl|Augustana College (BA)|George Washington University (MA, Ph.D.)}}

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| awards = Fulbright scholarship

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Ross Charles Horning Jr. (October 10, 1920 – April 1, 2005) was an American historian and baseball player. He played professional baseball in the minor leagues while completing his studies. Horning was a professor of Russian history at Creighton University.

Early life

Horning was born in Watertown, South Dakota, to Ross Sr. and Harriet Horning. He had seven siblings. Horning attended Watertown High School, where he earned letters in basketball and football{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94246741/letters-for-watertowns-major-sports-tot/ |title=Letters for Watertown's Major Sports Total 42 |work=Argus-Leader|page=18|via=Newspapers.com |date=February 4, 2022 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}} and was captain of the basketball team.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94246996/big-watertown-team-is-tourney-threat/ |title=Big Watertown Team Is Tourney Threat |work=Argus-Leader|page=3|via=Newspapers.com |date=February 4, 2022 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}}

Baseball career

In 1941, Horning made his professional baseball debut with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the Class D Western League.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96685150/ |title=Aberdonian Is Tried on First: Shorstop Speed Draws Raves |work=Argus-Leader|page=13 |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 14, 1941 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}} He returned to Sioux Falls, now in the Class C Northern League, in the 1942 season. During the season, he was sold to the Duluth Dukes of the Northern League for the money Sioux Falls needed to finance their next road trip.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/230813304/|title=Younger Shackles Duluth Team 8-0|url-access=subscription|page=9|work=Argus-Leader|via=Newspapers.com |date=July 9, 1942 |accessdate=March 3, 2022}} He objected to the trade because Sioux Falls would cover players' living expenses on the road trip, while Duluth was going to be starting a homestand, meaning Horning would need to find a place to rent. After spending a few weeks with Duluth, Horning enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, leaving during the 1942 season.{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ross-horning/|title=Ross Horning|first=Warren |last=Corbett|publisher=Society for American Baseball Research|accessdate=March 8, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94247518/bears-increase-northern-lead/ |title=Bears Increase Northern Lead |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press|work=Rapid City Journal|page=8|date=February 4, 2022 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}} In March 1944, while he was still in the service, Horning's contract was transferred to the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/623700553/?terms=%22ross%20horning%22%20%22sacramento%20solons%22&match=1 |title=Sacramento Gets Promise Of Aid From Red Sox|page=10|url-access=subscription|work=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com |date=March 4, 1944 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}}

When he returned to baseball in 1946, Horning reported to spring training with Sacramento, but he was given his outright release{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/205410862/?terms=%22ross%20horning%22%20%22sacramento%20solons%22&match=1 |title=Wenatchee Gets Solon Players|agency=Associated Press|page=14|work=Oakland Tribune|via=Newspapers.com |date=March 31, 1946 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}} in spite of the national law that permitted members of the armed services to reclaim their previous jobs after returning from war. Horning returned to the Canaries during the 1946 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/222099901/?terms=%22ross%20horning%22&match=1 |title=Sioux Falls Club In OB 11 Years|first=Spence|last=Sandvig|agency=Associated Press|page=9|work=St. Cloud Times|via=Newspapers.com |date=May 21, 1946 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}} He played in the Northern League's all-star game.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/222199027/?terms=%22ross%20horning%22%20duluth&match=1 |title=Jaros, Gittens On All-Stars|page=16|work=St. Cloud Times|via=Newspapers.com |date=August 29, 1946 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}} In 1947, he was traded from Sioux Falls to the Hutchinson Cubs of the Class C Western Association. Horning refused to report to Hutchinson, Kansas, due to his schooling at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. After holding out for a few weeks, Horning reported to Hutchinson, but also continued to pay his boarding costs in Sioux Falls. When Hutchinson tried to assign Horning to the Visalia Cubs of the Class C California League in 1948, he said that he would not report to the team until after he graduated in June. Instead, Horning was released.

Horning continued to play baseball as a semi-professional in Minnesota in 1948. He also played for the Quebec Braves of the Canadian–American League in 1949{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/532309717/?terms=%22ross%20horning%22%20quebec&match=1 |title=Pittsfield Indians To Oppose Quebec at Wahconah Park Tonight at 7|first=John M.|last=Flynn|page=22|work=The Berkshire Eagle|via=Newspapers.com |date=May 13, 1949 |accessdate=March 3, 2022}} and as player-manager for the Pierre Cowboys of the Basin League. In the meantime, Horning studied for his Doctor of Philosophy at George Washington University.

=Congressional testimony=

In August 1951, Representative Emanuel Celler announced that he was calling Horning as a witness before the United States House Judiciary Committee to examine the anti-trust exemption granted to Major League Baseball (MLB).{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20332280/ |title=Mystery Man New Witness For Baseball: Ross Horning Is His Name, But Nobody Seems to Know Him|agency=Associated Press|page=15|work=The Democrat and Leader|location=Davenport, Iowa |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 7, 1951 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}} Celler entered the hearings believing that MLB needed laws to support the reserve clause.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97359500/truman-favors-baseball-anti-trust-invest/|title=Truman Favors Baseball Anti-Trust Investigation|agency=Associated Press|page=21|work=The Tampa Tribune|via=Newspapers.com |date=July 19, 1951 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}} While star players, such as Lou Boudreau and Pee Wee Reese, indicated their support of the reserve clause. Horning described his experiences in baseball as more common for rank-and-file players and called for changing the reserve clause.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97220626/ross-horning-complains-of-life-in-loop/ |title=Ross Horning Complains Of Life In Loop |work=Argus-Leader|agency=Associated Press|page=10|via=Newspapers.com |date=August 7, 1951 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97216622/western-boss-former-sioux-falls-player/ |title=Western Boss, Former Sioux Falls Player Testify in Probe |page=13|work=Sioux City Journal|agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com |date=August 8, 1951 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}} Cy Block also testified regarding how the reserve clause limited his chances at playing in the major leagues. Celler's final report suggested that the U.S. Congress should take no action, allowing for the matter to be settled in the federal judiciary of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States upheld MLB's anti-trust exemption and the reserve clause in Toolson v. New York Yankees, Inc. in 1953.{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/voices-for-the-voiceless-ross-horning-cy-block-and-the-unwelcome-truth/|title=Voices for the Voiceless: Ross Horning, Cy Block, and the Unwelcome Truth|first=Warren |last=Corbett |publisher=Society for American Baseball Research|accessdate=March 8, 2022}}

Academic career

After Horning completed his Bachelor of Arts at Augustana College in 1948, he enrolled at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and studied for a Master of Arts in foreign affairs, which he earned in 1952. Horning began to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Russian history, international law, and European and American diplomacy. Horning completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree in October 1958 and became a professor at Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire that year.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97067070/educator-here-gets-phd-degree/ |title=Educator Here Gets Ph.D. Degree |work=Leader-Telegram|location=Eau Claire, Wisconsin|page=13|via=Newspapers.com |date=November 2, 1958 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}} He also served as an assistant coach for their baseball team.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443051/blugold-teams-open-spring-sport-workouts/ |title=Blugold Teams Open Spring Sport Workouts |page=12 |work=Chippewa Herald-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com |date=April 9, 1959 |accessdate=March 6, 2022}}

In September 1959, Horning became a faculty member of the history department at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He also served as the head coach for their baseball in 1960,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96871568/new-st-johns-coach-horning-former-sta/ |title=New St. John's Coach: Horning Former Star Infielder|work=St. Cloud Times|page=9 |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 2, 1960 |accessdate=March 3, 2022}} leaving the position in 1961.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96869917/st-johns-pitching-strong-but-other/ |title=St. John's Pitching Strong, But Other Gaps Need Filling |work=St. Cloud Times|page=14|via=Newspapers.com |date=April 10, 1961 |accessdate=March 3, 2022}} In 1961, he was a visiting professor at the University of Ottawa.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96714310/dr-horning-to-spend-summer-at-ottawa-u/ |title=Dr. Horning to Spend Summer at Ottawa 'U' |via=Newspapers.com |work=St. Cloud Times|page=3|date=July 3, 1962 |accessdate=March 3, 2022}} Horning became a professor of Russian history and international diplomacy at Creighton University in 1964. In 1967, he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to spend two months studying in India.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96688146/two-sf-fulbrights-going-to-india/ |title=Two S.F. Fulbrights Going to India|work=Argus-Leader|page=3 |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1967 |accessdate=March 3, 2022}} Horning was an unsuccessful candidate for a position on the University of Nebraska system's board of regents in 1970.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97216325/dr-horning-files-for-election-to-nu-boa/ |title=Dr. Horning Files for Election to NU Board of Regents |work=Lincoln Journal Star|page=10|via=Newspapers.com |date=December 9, 1969 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443007/two-incumbents-safe-2-new-faces-to-be-a/ |title=Two Incumbents Safe: 2 New Faces to Be Added to Regents|page=26|work=Lincoln Journal Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 13, 1970 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}} In 1981, Horning won the Distinguished Faculty-Service Award from Creighton.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96715153/smarts-are-ross-hornings-bread-today-b/ |title=Smarts are Ross Horning's bread today, but baseball was his butter |page=1D|work=Argus-Leader|first=John|last=Egan|via=Newspapers.com |date=July 21, 1983 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}}

After his death, the Department of History at Creighton University launched the Annual Ross Horning Lecture in his honor. Speakers have included Chuck Hagel, George McGovern, Eric Schlosser, Margaret MacMillan, and Scott Simon.{{cite web|url=https://www.creighton.edu/ccasdepartment/history/events/horninglecture/|title=The Annual Ross Horning Lecture|publisher=Creighton University|accessdate=March 8, 2022}}

Personal life

His mother, Harriet Horning, was state auditor of South Dakota from 1959 to 1960.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96610989/mrs-harriet-horning-dies-in-watertown/ |title=Mrs. Harriet Horning Dies In Watertown |work=The Daily Plainsman|agency=United Press International|page=1|via=Newspapers.com |date=December 14, 1962 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}} His brother, Bill, was a college baseball coach and worked in Creighton's athletic department.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97231817/horning-joins-creighton-staff/ |title=Horning joins Creighton staff|work=The Schuyler Sun |first=Mitchel|last=Benson|page=11|via=Newspapers.com |date=October 5, 1972 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}} In 1980, Horning ran unsuccessfully to be Nebraska's member on the Democratic National Committee.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97221920/state-democrats-to-pick-delegates-and-ne/ |title=State Democrats to pick delegates and new officers|page=7 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 19, 1980 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97220986/nebraska-demos-elect-chairman/ |title=Nebraska Demos elect chairman |work=Sioux City Journal|page=7|agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com |date=June 22, 1980 |accessdate=March 9, 2022}}

Horning married Maxine (née Spath), who was a classmate at Augustana College, on February 26, 1949.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96611300/marriage-of-spath-horning/ |title=Maxine Spath and Ross C. Horning Wed in Watertown|page=5|work=Argus-Leader |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 28, 1949 |accessdate=March 1, 2022}} Horning died on April 1, 2005.