Marge Schott was a controversial figure in the world of baseball. She was the owner of the Cincinnati Reds from 1984 to 1999, and during her tenure, she made headlines for her outspoken and often offensive comments. Despite her controversial reputation, Schott was a successful owner who oversaw the Reds' World Series victory in 1990.
Schott was born in Cincinnati in 1928 and grew up in a wealthy family. She inherited her family's car dealership and became a successful businesswoman in her own right. In 1984, she purchased a majority stake in the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first woman to own a major league baseball team.
Schott was known for her eccentric behavior and her love of animals. She often brought her dogs to the ballpark and was known to feed them from the concession stands. She also made controversial comments about race and ethnicity, which led to her being suspended from baseball twice.
Despite her controversies, Schott was a successful owner who oversaw the Reds' rise to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The team won the National League pennant in 1990 and went on to win the World Series, defeating the Oakland Athletics in four games.
Schott's tenure as owner came to an end in 1999 when she was forced to sell the team due to her controversial comments and behavior. She was banned from baseball for one year and fined $25,000 for making racially insensitive remarks.
Schott passed away in 2004 at the age of 75. Despite her controversies, she left a lasting impact on the world of baseball. She was a trailblazer for women in sports ownership and helped to bring a World Series championship to Cincinnati.
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