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Margaret Carolyn Schott (née Unnewehr; August 18, 1928 – March 2, 2004) was an American baseball executive. Serving as managing general partner, president and CEO of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds franchise from 1984 to 1999, she was the second woman to own a North American major-league team without inheriting it, after New York Mets founder Joan Whitney Payson.[1]

Key Information

She was banned from managing the team by MLB in 1993 due to racist comments and again from 1996 through 1998 for stating that Adolf Hitler was initially good for Germany. Shortly afterwards, she sold the majority of her share in the team.

Early life and career

[edit]

Schott was born in Cincinnati, one of five daughters of Edward Henry Unnewehr and Charlotte (Sauerland).[2] Her father grew wealthy in the lumber business.[3] Both of her parents were of German descent, with her mother having immigrated via Ellis Island in 1923.[4][5][6] Her mother's sister had five sons who fought for Germany in World War II.[4]

She attended parochial schools and graduated from the Sacred Heart Academy.[7] While a student at the University of Cincinnati, Marge Schott became a member of Theta Phi Alpha sorority. She married Charles Schott, a member of a wealthy Cincinnati family, in 1952, and inherited his automobile dealerships and interests in other industries when he died of a heart attack in 1968.[3] A widow at 39, Marge Schott never remarried and had no children of her own.[7]

Cincinnati Reds

[edit]

Schott had been a Reds fan for most of her life; from 1963 onward, she held an auction to raise money for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, attended by several Reds players. In 1981, Schott bought a minority interest in the Reds as part of a group headed by insurance magnates William and James Williams. On December 21, 1984, she purchased a controlling interest for a reported $11M, making her managing general partner, and becoming the first woman to buy an MLB team.[8] In 1985, she was named president and CEO of the club.[9] Five years later, the Reds won the World Series, when they swept the Oakland Athletics.

Schott quickly became one of baseball's most publicly visible owners. The Reds had long been a family-oriented franchise, and fans praised her efforts to keep ticket and concession prices low. For instance, she kept the price of the basic hot dog at one dollar (equivalent to $2 in 2024), and kept box seats around $12 (equivalent to $24 in 2024) – the cheapest in baseball.[3] Unlike most owners, she sat in a regular box seat at Riverfront Stadium, and often signed autographs.[3] She often allowed groups of children on the field to run to deep center field and back before the games would start, due to her love for children stemming from her inability to have any of her own. She was also noted for always having Schottzie, her pet Saint Bernard, with her.[3]

Throughout her career, she gained reputation as one of the worst owners in baseball history, and perhaps sports history. She was criticized for not spending the money it would have taken to build the Reds into contenders. This "cheap" attitude was sometimes conveyed in her own statements. She would publicly comment on occasion about having to pay players while they were on the disabled list, notably World Series hero José Rijo (who had an elbow injury), about whom she once complained of "paying three million dollars to sit on his butt."[3] She also maintained one of the smallest and lowest paid front office staffs in the major leagues; it was said to turn the heat down and lights off to save electricity.[citation needed]

In addition, it was revealed Schott was far from happy about the team winning the 1990 World Series. She was annoyed the team won the series in a "sweep" (the Reds swept the heavily-favored Oakland Athletics in four games). In her opinion the series was over too early; she believed team owners made the most money from a World Series once it reached a Game 5/6/7, thus robbing her of major revenue. She fussed and refused to pay for any post-game celebration for the team. The players reportedly resorted to celebrating on their own.[10]

Lou Piniella, the champion manager of the team, left in 1992 after finding her not willing to back him in any way when he was sued by umpire Gary Darling for defamation (he had to get his own lawyer).[11]

In fifteen seasons of ownership under Schott the Reds had nine winning seasons.

Controversies

[edit]

Racism and white nationalist views

[edit]

On November 13, 1992, Charles "Cal" Levy, a former marketing director for the Reds, stated in a deposition for Tim Sabo, a former employee who was suing the team, that he had heard Schott refer to then-Reds outfielders Eric Davis and Dave Parker as "million-dollar niggers."[12] Sabo, who had been the team's controller, alleged that his 1991 firing was due to testifying against Schott in another lawsuit brought against Schott by several limited partners and because he opposed the unwritten policy of not hiring blacks. Schott's countersuit alleged that Sabo wrote unauthorized checks to himself and paid health insurance premiums to retired front-office employees. She asked for $25,000 in damages for defamation. Sabo ultimately lost his suit.

Levy, who is Jewish, alleged that Schott kept a Nazi swastika armband at her home and claims he overheard her say "sneaky goddamn Jews are all alike."[12] The next day, Schott issued a statement saying the claims of racism levied against her were overstated and that she did not mean to offend anyone with her statement or her ownership of the armband. Schott explained that the swastika armband had been a gift from a former employee.[13]

On November 29, Schott said the "million-dollar niggers" comment was made in jest, but then stated that she felt that Adolf Hitler was initially good for Germany and did not understand how the epithet "Jap" could be offensive.[14]

During the same season, a former Oakland Athletics executive assistant, Sharon Jones, is quoted in The New York Times as having overheard Schott state: "I would never hire another nigger. I'd rather have a trained monkey working for me than a nigger," before the start of an owners' conference call.[15]

On May 5, 1996, Schott aroused ire when she made statements favorable of Adolf Hitler, saying "Everything you read, when he came in he was good. They built tremendous highways and got all the factories going. He went nuts, he went berserk. I think his own generals tried to kill him, didn't they?"[16] Later in the month, Schott was quoted in Sports Illustrated as speaking in a "cartoonish Japanese accent" while describing her meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan.[3] Schott later stated that she did not like Asian kids "outdoing our kids" in high school.[3]

Other incidents

[edit]

Schott was the target of frequent criticism for allegedly allowing her ever-present St. Bernards, Schottzie and Schottzie 02, near-complete free rein of Riverfront Stadium, including their defecating on the field. In particular, Reds personnel had also complained of her dogs' hair frequently getting stuck on their uniforms; Schott believed this was a good-luck charm, and during their 1990 World Series run would send bags of his hair to the team facilities. The hair was so old it began to smell. When the original Schottzie died, he was buried in Schott's backyard, wearing a Reds hat.[3]

Schott was known for not wanting to hire scouts, stating that "All they do is sit around and watch ball games,"[3] and, for the opening week of the 1996 season, refusing to post scores of other games on the Riverfront Stadium scoreboard (the cost of this service was $350 a month). Schott reportedly said of the scoreboard issue, "Why do [fans] care about one game when they're watching another?"[3]

On September 21, 1989, professional wrestler Randy Savage (in his "Macho Man" gimmick), was invited by Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman to join him in the booth. Prior to his wrestling career, Savage was a minor league baseball player who played for Tampa Tarpons (a Reds farm team). He joined Brennaman during the third inning, in a 11–7 loss to the San Diego Padres, which garnered attention from players, umpires and fans in attendance. A furious Schott wanted Savage off the air and sent a message via her nephew Stephen H. Schott and the radio producer to Brennaman threatening to fire him. Brennaman cornered the younger Schott off the air, telling him: "Don't you ever try to intimidate me again. And if you have something to say, say it yourself". Reds center fielder Eric Davis also criticised the decision to have Savage ejected from the game, saying:

"Macho Man is a celebrity. If a celebrity can't go in the booth, who can? If it had been somebody from pet control Schott wouldn't have minded. They shoulda paid him to come to the game. She says she wants to entertain the fans and then she deprives them of this? That's the most excitement we've given the fans in two months."[17]

On May 18, 1994, during a speech before the Ohio County Treasurers Association, Schott commented that she did not want her players to wear earrings because "only fruits wear earrings."[18] She said, "I was raised to believe that men wearing earrings are fruity."[18] Up to 1999, the Reds had a long-standing rule prohibiting players from having facial hair. In 1985, Schott famously offered future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers to play for the Reds, on the condition that Fingers would shave off his iconic handlebar mustache. Fingers supposedly responded that he would shave his mustache "when (Schott) shaves her Saint Bernard."[3] The rule was rescinded in 1999 (shortly before she relinquished control of the Reds) after a discussion between Schott and newly acquired outfielder Greg Vaughn.

In 1995, Schott famously announced in the middle of the season that manager Davey Johnson would not return, regardless of how well the Reds did. By all accounts, this was because of a personality clash between Johnson and Schott. Most notably, Schott did not approve of Johnson living with his fiancée before they were married later in the year.[19] The Reds won the division and made it all the way to the National League Championship Series, where they were swept by the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves, and Johnson was still fired. The Reds' 1995 NLDS win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in that same postseason remains their most recent postseason series win to date, as the Reds have made the postseason five additional times since 1995, only to be eliminated in the first round on each occasion.

Being Major League Baseball's oldest franchise, the Reds traditionally play the first game of the season at home. On April 1, 1996, they played the Montreal Expos. The weather was cold and blustery and it had snowed earlier in the day. Shortly after the game started, home plate umpire John McSherry called a time out and motioned towards the Reds dugout, it was later presumed, for medical attention. After taking just a few steps, McSherry collapsed and fell to the artificial turf face first. Attempts to resuscitate McSherry failed and he was pronounced dead on arrival at University Hospital about an hour later. The other umpires decided to postpone the game until the next day. Video showed Schott visibly upset that the game was to be postponed; reportedly she groused, "Snow this morning and now this. I don't believe it. I feel cheated. This isn't supposed to happen to us, not in Cincinnati. This is our history, our tradition, our team. Nobody feels worse than me."[20] Schott later insisted that she was standing up for the fans, though critics saw her comments as highly insensitive and grossly inappropriate. During the team's next homestand, Schott attempted to smooth over her feud with the umpires by apologizing to the crew—despite none of them having been in attendance at the game in question—only to have them refuse the gesture.[3]

At an unknown time on an airplane, Schott was allegedly approached by a woman who introduced herself as Edd Roush's granddaughter. Schott then replied, "That's nice hon, what business is he in?" Roush is a Hall of Fame center fielder who had many of his greatest years with the Reds.[21] The New York Times later dubbed her "Baseball's Big Red Headache", and Sports Illustrated would dub her as a "Red Menace".[7]

Sanctions and forced retirement

[edit]

Due to Schott's racist comments, a four-man committee was convened to investigate Schott. On February 3, 1993, she was fined $250,000 and banned from day-to-day operations of the Reds for the 1993 season.[22] Jim Bowden took over as managing partner. Schott returned to work on November 1.[23]

Schott's comments about Hitler led MLB to ban Schott from day-to-day operations through 1998.[24][25] On April 20, 1999, Schott agreed to sell her controlling interest in the Reds for $67 million to a group led by Cincinnati businessman Carl Lindner. At the time she was facing a third suspension, failing health, and an expiring ownership agreement with her limited partners, who planned to oust her. The deal was approved on September 15; Schott remained as a minority partner.[26][27]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In addition to her interest in the Reds, Schott was a major contributor to charitable organizations in Cincinnati including the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Cincinnati Zoo, where they named an Asian elephant, Schottzie, after her dog.[28] A second Asian elephant, named Princess Schottzie II, was donated by Schott in 1996.[29] She is also recognized for her major donation to the Boy Scouts' Camp Friedlander that was used to create an 18-acre (7.3 ha) lake, christened 'Lake Marge Schott' in her honor.[30]

Except for several million bequeathed to relatives and friends, Schott left nearly the entirety of her $124 million estate to charity.[31][32]

Schott was a generous contributor to the University of Cincinnati. From 2006 to 2020, UC's baseball stadium was named the Marge Schott Stadium in her honor. In June 2020, the university's board of trustees voted to remove her name from the stadium, citing her record of racism and bigotry, and renamed it UC Baseball Stadium.[33][34]

Illness and death

[edit]

Schott was a long-time smoker;[35] in 2001 she began to develop health problems. Schott was hospitalized twice for breathing problems and suffered from pneumonia in 2003. Schott was hospitalized again on February 9, 2004. Some reports claim she was hospitalized due to a cold, while others said she complained of knee ailments; regardless, during her stay she developed breathing problems and had to be put on life support.[36] She died on March 2 at age 75 at the Christ Hospital, in Cincinnati.[37]

Schott's funeral was held at All Saints Catholic Church, in the Cincinnati suburb of Kenwood.[38] She is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery wearing her signature red suit with an elephant brooch.[39]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Marge Schott

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from Grokipedia
Unnewehr Schott (August 18, 1928 – March 2, 2004), commonly known as Marge Schott, was an American businesswoman who served as the managing general partner and principal owner of Major League Baseball's from December 1984 until 1999. Schott initially purchased a minority stake in the Reds in 1981 before assuming control following the death of previous owner Louis Nippert, becoming the first woman to own and operate a major league team outright. During her tenure, she presided over the franchise's victory, the Reds' first championship since 1976, achieved under manager with a roster featuring stars like and Eric Davis. Known for her cost-conscious approach to operations, Schott maintained low payrolls and integrated her St. Bernard dog, Schottzie, into team traditions as an unofficial mascot. Schott's ownership was defined by persistent controversies arising from her public use of racial and ethnic slurs, including references to players as deriving from "jungle people" and statements praising Hitler's early governance. These incidents prompted investigations by , resulting in a one-year suspension and $25,000 fine in 1992 for anti-Semitic remarks, a further one-year ban from day-to-day operations in 1993 over racial epithets, and additional sanctions in 1996 for derogatory comments targeting , Japanese individuals, and homosexuals. Facing mounting pressure from MLB Commissioner and ongoing health issues, Schott relinquished daily control in 1996 and sold her majority interest in 1999 for $67 million, effectively ending her active involvement in .

Early Life and Business Career

Family Background and Education

Margaret Carolyn Unnewehr, known as Marge, was born on August 18, 1928, in , , to Edward Henry Unnewehr and Charlotte Unnewehr. Edward Unnewehr had amassed significant wealth in the lumber industry, establishing a prominent in the region. As the second of five daughters in a German-American Catholic household, Schott grew up in relative affluence amid a close-knit family environment that emphasized traditional values and local culture, including early fandom for the city's team, the Reds. Schott received her primary and secondary education in parochial schools, reflecting her family's Catholic heritage. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic girls' institution in . Following high school, Schott attended the , though she did not complete a degree there. Her formal schooling aligned with the conservative, community-oriented upbringing typical of mid-20th-century 's German Catholic enclaves, shaping her worldview prior to entering business and marriage.

Pre-Baseball Business Ventures

Prior to her involvement with , Marge Schott built her fortune through a portfolio of automotive and related enterprises in , . In 1952, she married Charles Schott, a member of a prominent local family whose business interests included a , an iron works, and a concrete company. Following Charles Schott's death from a heart attack in 1968 at age 42, Marge Schott inherited these operations despite having limited prior business experience. She successfully expanded and managed them, including Schott Buick and a Chevrolet dealership, which became known locally for her distinctive television advertisements featuring her St. Bernard dogs. Schott's holdings extended beyond dealerships to encompass at least two car sales outlets, three vehicle-leasing firms, a business, and additional diversified ventures, generating substantial wealth that enabled her minority in the in 1981. These enterprises operated profitably under her direction, establishing her reputation as a shrewd, hands-on businesswoman in Cincinnati's commercial landscape prior to her 1984 acquisition of majority control of the Reds.

Ownership of the Cincinnati Reds

Acquisition and Initial Involvement

In 1981, Marge Schott, a Cincinnati-based automobile dealer, acquired a minority ownership stake in the for $1.1 million. This initial investment positioned her among a group of local investors holding shares in the franchise, which had been under the control of since 1980. By December 1984, Schott purchased a , becoming the managing for approximately $24 million and marking her as the first woman to own and operate League Baseball team. She was officially introduced in this role on December 21, 1984, assuming a high-profile CEO position with direct oversight of team operations. Unlike previous passive owners, Schott adopted a hands-on approach from the outset, integrating personal elements such as granting her Saint Bernard dog, Schottzie, free access to as an unofficial . Schott's early decisions included retaining as player-manager, a move that contributed to the team's improvement, achieving second place in the National League West by 1986. Her involvement emphasized cost-consciousness and promotional flair, reflecting her background in business while fostering a distinctive team identity during the initial phase of her tenure.

Management Style and Operational Decisions

Schott assumed a in the in December 1984 for approximately $24 million and quickly adopted an imperious, hands-on as the team's managing , president, and CEO. She immersed herself in all facets of operations, from personnel disputes to strategic choices, often intervening directly despite limited familiarity with players' names or intricacies. For example, she resolved a standoff by flipping a , underscoring her unconventional decision-making. A hallmark of her operational approach was rigorous frugality, which she applied to both administrative and on-field elements. Schott slashed front-office personnel to fewer than half the major league average and operated with the fewest scouts of any MLB team, personally signing every check exceeding $50. She enforced cost controls such as maintaining $1 prices at games, turning off office lights to save electricity, and minimizing expenditures on and fan promotions, which initially boosted attendance from around 14,000 per game in 1983 to over before the 1994 strike. These measures prioritized fiscal efficiency but constrained investments in scouting and the farm system, potentially hindering sustained talent pipelines. Schott's personnel decisions reflected frequent turnover and direct oversight, including hiring as manager in November 1989—a move preceding the win—and firing Bob Quinn in 1992, amid a cycle of five managers in six years during the early . fluctuated under her tenure, rising from $15 million in the late 1980s to competitive levels post-championship but cut sharply after the 1995 playoffs to align with her restraint-oriented philosophy. In 1996, she opposed postponing a home opener following umpire John McSherry's on-field death, prioritizing schedule adherence. By June 1996, MLB pressure led her to cede day-to-day control, though she retained influence over major financial matters until selling her majority stake in 1999 for $67 million.

Achievements Including the 1990 World Series

Under Marge Schott's ownership, which began with her purchase of a controlling interest in the Cincinnati Reds on December 21, 1984, for approximately $11 million, the franchise achieved its most notable on-field success in 1990. Schott, the first woman to acquire majority control of a Major League Baseball team, prioritized fiscal restraint, which contributed to the Reds' profitability during a period of league-wide financial pressures. This approach allowed resources to be allocated toward competitive roster building, culminating in the hiring of Lou Piniella as manager on November 3, 1989. The 1990 Reds, managed by Piniella, delivered a dominant wire-to-wire championship season, starting with nine consecutive victories and compiling a 91-71 regular-season record, the best in the National League. They advanced by sweeping the in the before defeating the 4-0 in the , clinching the title on October 20, 1990, with a 2-1 in Game 4 at . Key performers included pitchers (2-0, 0.75 ERA in the Series) and (three saves), alongside offensive contributions from Eric Davis, , and Paul O'Neill. This marked the Reds' first World Series triumph since 1976 and only their second in franchise history since 1940, interrupting Oakland's bid for a . Schott's direct involvement included approving Piniella's appointment and supporting operational decisions that fostered team cohesion, though her post-championship —such as limiting celebratory expenditures due to foregone revenue from the quick sweep—drew internal criticism. Nonetheless, the victory elevated the franchise's profile, boosted local attendance, and affirmed Schott's role in restoring competitive to the Reds after years of mediocrity. No subsequent appearances occurred under her tenure, but the 1990 title remains the hallmark of her 15-year ownership.

Controversies Involving Statements and Behaviors

Documented Remarks on Race and Ethnicity

Schott's documented remarks on race and ethnicity primarily emerged during legal depositions, employee testimonies, and public interviews in the early 1990s, often involving the use of slurs targeting African Americans. In a November 1992 deposition related to a lawsuit by former Reds executive Robert Whittaker, Schott admitted to employing the term "nigger" in reference to black individuals, including former Reds outfielders Eric Davis and Dave Parker, whom she reportedly called "million-dollar niggers." Sharon Jones, a former Oakland Athletics executive assistant who interacted with Schott during a 1988 conference call organized by then-Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, recounted Schott stating, "I once had a nigger work for me. He couldn't do the job. I had to put him in the mail room and he couldn't even handle that. I later found out the nigger couldn't read or write," alongside complaints about being "sick and tired of talking about this race thing." Jones further quoted Schott as saying, "I would never hire another nigger. I’d rather have a trained monkey working for me than a nigger," a remark reported in The New York Times on November 24, 1992. Anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi sentiments were also attributed to Schott through her possession of , including a armband, which she described on November 20, 1992, as not intended to offend. In a , 1992, cited by , she remarked that "Adolf initially was good for ," defending her use of terms like "niggers" as jest and questioning why "Japs" was offensive. These views resurfaced in a May 5, 1996, , where Schott elaborated, "Everything you read, when he came in he was good... They built tremendous highways and got all the factories going. He went nuts, he went berserk," praising Hitler's early economic policies despite his later atrocities. Remarks targeting Asian ethnicity included a May 14, 1996, account in Sports Illustrated of Schott speaking in a "cartoonish Japanese accent" about encountering Japanese Prime Minister and stating, "I don’t like it when they come here, honey, and stay so long and then outdo our kids. That’s not right," expressing resentment toward Asian academic success in the U.S. These statements, corroborated by multiple witnesses such as former Reds vice president Cal Levy and employee Blaemire in depositions, contributed to MLB's characterization of Schott's language as involving "the most base and demeaning type of racial and ethnic stereotyping." Schott issued statements denying racism, such as on November 1992 claiming "I am not a racist," but the remarks were deemed offensive by officials based on direct attributions.

Other Public and Private Incidents

Schott frequently permitted her St. Bernard dog, Schottzie, to roam the field at Riverfront Stadium before home games, where it would defecate on the playing surface and interfere with players' preparations. This practice drew complaints from team personnel, including instances noted by players like Barry Larkin regarding the cleanup required after such occurrences. Following Schott's 1993 suspension by Major League Baseball, the commissioner's office extended the ban to Schottzie, prohibiting the dog from accessing the field during games. Schott also engaged in superstitious rituals involving the dog, such as clipping its hair and rubbing it on players like manager Lou Piniella for luck ahead of the 1990 World Series. In May 1994, shortly after completing her initial MLB suspension, Schott made a public remark in the Reds' clubhouse dismissing men who wore earrings as "fruits," a derogatory term for homosexuals, stating, "I don't want any of those finger-waggers in here... Only fruits wear earrings." This comment prompted renewed scrutiny from MLB executives, who issued a warning but did not impose further immediate penalties, citing her recent disciplinary history. Private incidents included abrupt firings of team executives, such as controller Tim Sabo in August 1991, who subsequently filed a alleging retaliation for raising concerns over operational practices. The litigation uncovered additional details about Schott's management, including reports of her using employees' names to falsify vehicle sales records at her affiliated dealership to inflate sales figures for incentives, with cars stored at her residence. These actions contributed to internal but were not directly tied to MLB sanctions beyond broader probes into her conduct.

Contemporary Defenses and Contextual Interpretations

Some associates and former players have characterized Marge Schott's controversies as stemming from misunderstanding her personal character rather than inherent malice. Longtime friend Arnie Barnett described her as "probably the most misunderstood woman in the United States," emphasizing her "heart of gold" and instances of writing million-dollar checks for charities without hesitation. Hall of Fame catcher , who played under her ownership, stated that "actions speak louder than words" and judged her positively based on her "big heart," pointing to her loyalty and support for the team. , the Reds' all-time hits leader, similarly praised her deep affection for the team, its fans, and . Schott herself repeatedly denied racism accusations, maintaining in a February 1993 television interview that she "never have been, never will be" racist and that as a did not exist. In November 1992, after admitting to using racial slurs, she issued an apology that was accepted by minority leaders, who expressed intent to monitor her future conduct while acknowledging the gesture. Contextual interpretations often frame her remarks as products of an unfiltered, blunt personality shaped by mid-20th-century Midwestern norms, where direct speech was commonplace in private settings, particularly under the influence of alcohol like her preferred Kamchatka vodka. Biographical accounts distinguish a "good Marge"—generous and approachable with fans and employees—and a "bad Marge" prone to impulsive, alcohol-fueled outbursts, portraying her eccentricity (such as prioritizing her St. Bernard dog Schottzie over human priorities) as more quirky than systematically discriminatory. These views, drawn from personal anecdotes rather than institutional analyses, suggest her comments reflected personal foibles in a less politically sensitized era, though they do not negate the documented offensiveness that prompted MLB sanctions.

MLB Sanctions and Transition Out of Ownership

Investigations and Penalties

In December 1992, initiated an investigation into owner Marge Schott following reports of her use of racial and ethnic slurs, which had drawn complaints from civil rights groups and players. On December 10, 1992, Schott publicly acknowledged and apologized for making "insensitive" remarks, though she maintained they were not intended to offend. The investigation culminated on February 3, 1993, when MLB's Executive Council suspended Schott from day-to-day management of the Reds for one year and fined her $25,000, citing her repeated use of racially and ethnically insensitive language that violated the league's standards of conduct. The penalty barred her from club operations but allowed limited attendance at games after the break, with the suspension subject to review after six months. Schott served approximately eight months of the suspension before resuming some involvement in early 1994. Subsequent scrutiny arose from a 1991 wrongful termination lawsuit by former Reds controller Tim Sabo, who alleged discriminatory practices under Schott's leadership; although Schott was cleared in the suit on June 3, 1995, the associated revelations contributed to MLB's ongoing monitoring of her conduct. In June 1996, facing threats of further suspension for meddling in team affairs, Schott agreed to relinquish control over daily operations to a management committee. MLB reinforced this by banning her from entering Riverfront Stadium during games on July 17, 1996, to prevent interference with the new operational structure.

Forced Sale of Controlling Interest

In October 1998, following multiple suspensions and amid ongoing scrutiny from (MLB) executives, Cincinnati Reds principal owner Marge Schott agreed to sell her in the team by October 1999 or face permanent banishment from operations. This decision stemmed from MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's determination that Schott's continued majority control posed risks to the league's image and governance standards, building on prior penalties including a 1993 one-year suspension for inflammatory remarks and a 1996 accord requiring her to step down as managing general partner through the 1998 season. The agreement facilitated a sale to a headed by local businessman Carl H. Lindner Jr., a longtime minority in the Reds, with Schott retaining a stake valued at approximately 10% of the franchise. On April 20, 1999, Schott finalized the transaction for her majority shares at $67 million, subject to MLB approval; the deal closed after unanimous owner ratification on , 1999, marking the end of her day-to-day influence over the club. Schott's divestiture was framed by league officials as essential to restoring operational stability to the Reds, which had posted losing records in six of the prior seven seasons under her tenure, though financial records indicated the franchise's value had appreciated significantly since her 1984 acquisition.

Philanthropic Contributions

Donations to Animal Welfare and Local Causes

Schott was a notable supporter of organizations, particularly those benefiting dogs and zoo animals in . Her affection for her St. Bernard dogs, including Schottzie and Schottzie 02, motivated contributions such as a donation to the Haven Great Dane Rescue, where she provided financial support after learning of the group's mission to aid s. She also funded animal exhibits at the Zoo & Botanical Garden, including the construction of an elephant preserve and the purchase of s, one of which was donated from the King and Queen of following the death of an initial animal gifted to the zoo. Posthumously, the Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation granted $5 million to the Zoo in 2011, marking the institution's largest single donation at the time, continuing her legacy of support for local animal conservation efforts. In addition to animal-focused giving, Schott directed funds to various local causes, emphasizing youth and community development. She contributed $500,000 to St. Ursula Academy for an athletic field named after her dog Schottzie 02, and supported the Boy Scouts of America with funding for an 18-acre lake at their camp. Her foundation has sustained these efforts, distributing millions to regional nonprofits, including schools and youth programs, as part of a broader commitment to Cincinnati-area initiatives. These donations reflected her personal priorities, often tied to her interests in children and community welfare, though they occurred amid her controversial public profile.

Support for Education, Health, and Youth Programs

Schott personally donated to Saint Ursula Academy in around 2000, funding approximately 20% of two capital projects for science, language, and arts facilities. The Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation, established from her estate, endowed a $250,000 fund at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2016 to support low-income students pursuing associate degrees or certificates. In higher education, the foundation contributed $2 million in 2005 toward the University of Cincinnati's Varsity Village athletic facilities upgrade, aiding student-athlete programs. For health initiatives, the foundation donated $1.8 million in 2015 to the University of Cincinnati's Department of to advance treatment and prevention research and training. It further provided $3.13 million in 2017 to the Medical Center's and Surgical , enhancing care for critically injured patients. Schott favored youth-oriented causes, with her foundation offering general operating support to programs like those of ABC Cincy, which deliver extracurricular activities to in Greater . The foundation pledged $2.5 million toward the Dan Beard Council Boy Scouts' Scout Achievement Center in the early 2000s, reflecting her affinity for programs serving thousands of youth annually. Additional grants targeted children and youth services, aligning with the foundation's stated priorities in and social welfare for young people in the region.

Final Years and Legacy

Health Issues and Personal Life

Schott, born Margaret Carolyn Unnewehr on August 18, 1928, in , , to Edward and Charlotte Unnewehr, was the second of five daughters in a family where her father introduced her to business principles. She married Charles J. Schott in 1952; he founded Schottco Corp., a with interests in glass manufacturing and other ventures, but died of a heart attack in 1968 at age 42, leaving her a at 39. The couple had no children, a circumstance Schott reportedly regretted deeply. Following her husband's death, Schott managed the family estate, residing on a 70-acre property in Cincinnati's Indian Hills section. She maintained an eccentric lifestyle, marked by heavy cigarette smoking that contributed to her raspy voice, occasional consumption of Kamchatka vodka, and a fondness for entertaining fans—particularly children—at games. Schott was deeply attached to her Saint Bernard dogs, notably Schottzie, whom she treated as a companion and informal team mascot, often bringing the 170-pound animal to public events including her 1984 introductory as Reds owner; Schottzie's successor, Schottzie 02, prompted her to donate $500,000 for an athletic field in its honor. In April 1991, at age 62, Schott suffered a severe bacterial originating from a on her legs, which escalated to damage and failure, , bleeding, and a near-lethal shock state, requiring hospitalization at Jewish Hospital in ; she recovered sufficiently to be released after treatment and ordered to rest at home. She later developed chronic conditions including , , and , exacerbated by decades of chain-smoking. Schott died on March 2, 2004, at age 75 in , , after several weeks of treatment for breathing difficulties and lung-related problems that placed her on ; the hospital did not disclose a specific cause of death.

Death and Posthumous Impact

Schott died on March 2, , at in , , at the age of 75. She had been admitted to the hospital approximately three weeks earlier for breathing difficulties. No specific cause of death was publicly disclosed by the hospital, though obituaries highlighted her decades-long habit of heavy chain-smoking as a contributing factor to her health decline. Schott's posthumous reputation in circles emphasized her role as the first woman to serve as managing general partner of a Major League team, during which the won the , alongside her financial stewardship that averted potential franchise relocation. However, her legacy was predominantly framed by the scandals that led to MLB suspensions and her 1999 divestiture of controlling interest, with commentators noting her unapologetic ethnic slurs and insensitivity alienated players, executives, and fans. In the years following her death, institutions reevaluated affiliations tied to her philanthropy; in June 2020, the removed her name from its baseball stadium and a library archive, attributing the decision to documented instances of her racist and anti-Semitic statements. Local organizations similarly distanced themselves, reflecting broader scrutiny of her donations amid revelations of her praising Hitler and using derogatory language toward minorities. Defenders, including some former Reds supporters, argued for a nuanced view, crediting her eccentricity, loyalty to the team, and support for —exemplified by her St. Bernard mascot Schottzie—as counterweights to the controversies, though such perspectives remained marginal against the dominant narrative of her as a disruptive force in MLB governance. Her exclusion from baseball's formal honors, such as the Hall of Fame, persisted, underscoring the lasting institutional aversion to her conduct.

References

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