Bert Husting

Berthold Juneau Husting
(Pete)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.
• School University of Wisconsin-Madison
• High School Mayville High School
• Debut August 16, 1900
• Final Game September 18, 1902
• Born March 6, 1878 in Mayville, WI USA
• Died September 3, 1948 in Milwaukee, WI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Berthold "Pete" Husting pitched three years in the majors, going 14-6 in 1902. He joined the minor league Milwaukee team the same week as he graduated from college in 1900, and two months later was in the majors.

Sporting Life referred to him as Pete or Berthold but never as Bert.

Pete is listed various places as having been born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, but his marriage certificate states he was born in Mayville, Wisconsin. Regardless of the location of his birth, he graduated from Mayville High School and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin. He was a pitcher on the Wisconsin baseball team in 1898 and led the Badgers to the Western Conference Championship.

He debuted in the major leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1900. He then played for the Milwaukee Brewers, going 10-15 with a 4.27 ERA. After allowing 15 runs (8 earned) in his only start for the Boston Americans in 1902, he was purchased by the Philadelphia Athletics. Husting went 14-5 with a 3.79 ERA to help the 1902 Philadelphia Athletics to win the pennant in the young American League. Following the season, he left baseball to pursue a law career.

He opened a law office in Fond du Lac with his brothers. He eventually moved back to Mayville and practiced law until his death. While in Mayville, he was appointed a United States attorney. He advocated the cause of public hunting in the Horicon Marsh and later helped local landowners receive compensation when parts of their land were added to the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area. Husting is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Mayville. A monument to Husting is scheduled to be erected in Mayville by spring 2009.

Sporting Life of April 22, 1905 carried an article about him as president of a new Wisconsin baseball league. As of 1909 the league had become the Wisconsin-Illinois League, and Pete was president of the Fond Du Lac club. It was reported he planned to sometimes pitch for the club in the upcoming season.

Related Sites

• Bert Husting at the SABR Bio Project