Louis “Louie” Heilbroner worked for the St. Louis Cardinals in their first season that they were named the Cardinals. He was the business manager and also manager of concessions for the team. He stood at 4’9″ in height and had no real knowledge of baseball.
On August 18, 1900, Cardinals manager Patsy Tebeau resigned his position and team president and owner Frank Robison needed to replace him. Publicly, Robison offered the job to third baseman John McGraw. He turned it down as he had his sights set on managerial position in a different league the following season (McGraw left after the season).
Robison, not want to prolong the search, appointed Heilbroner to the position as manager of the team. The dimunitive Heilbroner had difficulties garnering respect due to his size and lack of baseball knowledge. McGraw was the go-between as it was well known that decisions were being made from the third baseman. This arrangement was widely known throughout baseball circles and certainly within the Cardinals organization.
Heilbroner managed the last 50 games and had a record of 23 wins, 25 losses and 2 ties. The next season a new manager was named and Heilbroner stays on as the business manager until 1908.
From 1912-1914, he is named president of the Central League. From there he goes into the publishing business and becomes a pioneer in baseball statistics. He founded, in 1909, Heilbroner’s Baseball Bureau Service. It was the first commercial statistical bureau dedicated to baseball. He started the Baseball Blue Book in the National League.
He died on December 21, 1933 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.