Gustavus Heinrich Schmelz (September 26, 1850 – October 14, 1925) was an Americanmanager inMajor League Baseball for theColumbus Buckeyes (1884),Cincinnati Red Stockings (1887–89), andColumbus Solons (1890–91) of theAmerican Association.[1] He was also the manager for theSt. Louis Maroons (1886),Cleveland Spiders (1890),[2] andWashington Senators (1894–97) of theNational League.
According to baseball historianPeter Morris, Schmelz was the first to capitalize onbunting, earning him the nickname "the Father of the Bunt".[1] In 1891,Sporting Life referred to a player's habit of bunting as the "Schmelz system".
He was regarded as a player's manager, but his camaraderie with his players did not translate to pennants, as he never finished higher than second place. His lifetime managerial record was 624–703 (.470).
Schmelz died in his birthplace ofColumbus, Ohio at age 75 and is buried atGreen Lawn Cemetery.[3]
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