Gene Bremer

Eugene Joseph Bremer (Bremmer) (July 18, 1916 – June 19, 1971) was an American professional baseball pitcher in Negro league baseball. He played between 1932 and 1949.

Pitching style The 5' 8" righthander pitched exclusively without a windup and utilized an overhand curve.

Cincinnati Tigers In 1936, Bremer joined the Cincinnati Tigers, posting a 25-12 record.

Broadview Buffaloes Aside from his time with the Tigers in 1936 and 1937, Bremer was also a member of the Broadview Buffaloes, an integrated team in the Canadian Southern Saskatchewan League. The Buffaloes are viewed by many historians as one of the first integrated teams in all of Canada.

Memphis Red Sox When the Tigers dissolved prior to the 1938 season, Bremer followed Tigers manager Ted Radcliffe to the Memphis Red Sox. The Red Sox would win the 1938 Negro American League first half pennant, then the league pennant over the Atlanta Black Crackers. In 1940, he was named as the West team's starting pitcher in the annual East-West All-Star Game. During the game, he suffered control problems, walking five batters and giving up two runs in the loss.

Brief Retirement Bremer briefly retired and did not play in the 1941 season. Indians president Alva Bradley quickly reneged on his promise, stating to the Cleveland Call and Post that his scouts had seen Bremer, Jethroe, and a third Buckeye, Parnell Woods play in the second East-West Game on August 18 in Cleveland, and based upon that one viewing had decided that the three "did not stack up as material for the Indians".

Car accident On September 7, one of three vehicles carrying Buckeyes players and staff crashed on Route 20 near Geneva, Ohio. Teammates Ulysses Brown and Smoky Owens were killed instantly. Four other Buckeyes were injured including Bremer, who was hospitalized and missed the remainder of the season with a fractured skull and concussion.

1943 Bremer moved with the Buckeyes to Cleveland in 1943, posting a 4-3 record with a .494 ERA.

Rochester Royals In 1949, the semi-pro Rochester Royals of the Southern Minnesota League signed several Negro League players including Bremer. Bremer suffered from control issues in his first two starting appearances and was moved to left field before injuring himself on a slide into first base.

New Orleans Creoles In addition to pitching in Rochester in 1949, Bremer returned to his hometown and briefly joined 1945 Buckeyes teammates Bill Jefferson and Buddy Armour on the independent New Orleans Creoles.

Death and legacy Gene Bremer died at age 54 in Cleveland and is buried at Evergreen Memorial Park in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Bremer had eight children and one of his grandsons, J.R. Bremer, played professional basketball for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Confusion with other players While Gene Bremer is credited in other early sources with time on the Cedar Rapids Rockets, a Yankees farm team in 1949, the Gene Bremer listed on the team's rosters is a different player. The Bremers on the 1949 Rockets were twin brothers and Moville, Iowa natives Jack and Gene Bremer (of no relation).