Mercer County certainly has its share of athletic excellence with countless boys and girls high school state championships in multiple sports. A number of those athletes went on to professional careers. The list of those is too long to list here, but would be recognized by most of our readers.

However, one of the names you probably wouldn't recognize was that of "Bruno" Betzel. Bruno was born in 1894 in Chattanooga, Ohio, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1914 to 1918. He started at age 19 and roomed with Rogers Hornsby, a future Hall of famer. Known for his baseball smarts and hustle, Bruno’s natural traits later led him to be hired as manager of minor league teams for 26 years following his playing career. He then was a scout for the Dodgers, the Giants, and the Reds. Eventually, he was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in 1957.

During his scouting career, Bruno was instrumental in bringing Jackie Robison, the first African American player, into the major leagues. "I don't care if he's polka dotted,” he said of Jackie, “I'd tuck him into bed at night if necessary to have him play for me in the big leagues".

Bruno’s real name was Christian Frederick Albert John Henry David Betzel, a name given to him in order to honor his six uncles. The nickname “Bruno” came from the family St. Bernard of the same name. It is also speculated that he played in some exhibition games in 1926/27 with Celina Carps team against a Lima team that included Babe Ruth. We know for sure that the 1927 game had Lou Gehrig playing for Celina and was the year Ruth hit 60 home runs. Bruno also played on a winter basketball team composed of players trying to keep in shape before the season resumed. They played a game against a Bluffton team and lost 108-0. We think that perhaps they should’ve stuck to baseball.

Bruno died while on vacation in Florida on February 7, 1965. He is buried in Celina. It would seem that "Bruno" Betzel certainly made a name for himself in baseball, a name that he would have to add to the six his parents already gave him.

The Riley House has a plaque commemorating Bruno's pro playing career along with a number of various vintage uniforms and gear from multiple sports. The Riley House museum is located at 130 E. Market St. in Celina, Ohio. We are open Monday and Friday 9-5 and admission is free.