Wilor Bluege

A Life in Baseball Wilor Bluege

Ossie Bluege spent eighteen years in the major leagues playing for the Washington Senators. The owner of the team, Clark Griffith, called him "the greatest third baseman of all time" because of his lightning quick reflexes and nothing short of miraculous play handling ability. His exceptional hands and range of movement secured him the "hot corner" around third base. Keen eyesight and intuition gave him a uncanny ability to anticipate the play. The speed of his reflexes, agility, and the accuracy of his arm enabled him to execute plays that no one else could touch. Such skill was sometimes underappreciated by the casual fan, because Bluege made 'impossible' plays look deceptively easy. Luke Sewell quipped, "I can tell you the two greatest infielders of my time... and there he is [pointing to Ossie] ... over there hitting fungoes... He played shortstop and third base at the same time." He played on three pennant winning teams and in three World Series (1924, 1925, and 1933). He played on the 1924 World Series Championship team that beat the New York Yankees in 1924. In 1935, he played on the American League All Star Team. From sandlot baseball, to the big leagues, to the front office of one of the longest enduring family franchises in baseball history, this is the story of a lifelong journey in baseball - a journey that covered an amazing 50 years with the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins.