Bert Thiel

Maynard Bert Thiel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Marion (WI) High School
• Debut April 17, 1952
• Final Game April 30, 1952
• Born May 4, 1926 in Marion, WI USA
• Died July 31, 2020 in Pella, WI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bert Thiel a Wisconsin native, was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Braves before the 1947 season. Bert began his professional career with the Eau Claire Bears of the Northern League in the same season, breaking in with a 10-10 record and a 3.60 ERA his first year out. Thiel followed up in 1948 with the only 20-win season of his career, going 20-12 with a 2.99 ERA for the Jackson Senators of the Southeastern League.

He was in the minors from 1947-59 and also 1961. He was in the majors with the Braves in 1952 when he appeared in 4 games and had a 1-1 record. During his 14-season minor league run Thiel threw two no-hitters, his first coming in 1949 with the Hartford Chiefs of the Eastern League, setting down the Elmira Pioneers 7-0. He came back with another one with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association in 1951, setting down the Toledo Mud Hens, 5-0.

On November 27, 1955, Bert was drafted by the New York Giants from the Braves in the 1955 Rule V Draft. His 1956 season saw him go 18-11 with a 3.11 ERA while pitching 249 innings for the Dallas Eagles of the Texas League. No big league calls came and Bert finished up his 14-year minor league career in 1961 at the age of 35 with a 145-108 record and a 3.76 ERA while pitching 2,110 innings. He then spent several years as a minor league manager and scouted for the Washington Senators (1964-1969) and Atlanta Braves (1971).

After baseball Bert returned to his hometown of Marion, WI, and opened up a restaurant and bar, called Bert's 10th Inning.

Before his death in 2020, he was one of only two surviving Boston Braves, with the other being Del Crandall. When he died on July 31st of that year at the age of 94, Crandall was left as the last surviving Boston Braves player, an honor that he held until his death in May the next year.

Notable Achievement

• 1956 Pitcher of the Year Texas League Dallas Eagles

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1960	Albuquerque Dukes	Sophomore League	57-72	5th	Kansas City A's
1961	Pocatello Bannocks	Pioneer League	57-72	5th	Kansas City A's
1969	Burlington Senators	Carolina League	9-7	--	Washington Senators	--	replaced Bill Haywood on May 27 replaced by Bill Haywood on June 11
1972	Appleton Foxes	Midwest League	76-51	1st	Chicago White Sox	Lost League Finals
1973	Appleton Foxes	Midwest League		10th	Chicago White Sox		replaced Deacon Jones on June 21
1974	Dubuque Packers	Midwest League	44-78	10th	Co-op

Related Sites

• Bert Thiel at the SABR Bio Project