Former #Reds groundskeeper Matty Schwab receives Gary Vanden Berg Award.
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— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) January 20, 2017
We have a soft spot for former Reds groundskeeper Matty Schwab here at Redleg Nation. And now he’s officially a Hall of Famer:
Schwab, who was the Reds’ park superintendent from 1903-63, will be the recipient of the Gary Vanden Berg Award as the 2017 inductee into the Major League Baseball Groundskeeper’s Hall of Fame. There will be a ceremony this weekend in Clearwater, Fla., during the annual meeting of the groundskeepers from all 30 clubs in MLB.
The Schwab family name is practically groundskeeper royalty. Schwab began working on the fields at Reds ballparks in 1894 under the supervision of his father, John. Matty took over in 1903 and oversaw the installation of the field when the Reds moved to Redland Field, later renamed Crosley Field.
Someone explain to me how Schwab wasn’t already in the Hall of Fame?
Chris Garber wrote a great segment about the entire Schwab family in our upcoming book about the “Men & Moments that Made the Cincinnati Reds.” You’re really going to enjoy it, I promise.
I recall seeing Mr Schwab in year books and at Crosley field. He was old was I was young 😉
I am grateful he received this honor. Matty Schwab and his family did alot for the Reds and for Major League Baseball. Innovative breakthroughs in scoreboard design, batters box, bases and irrigation system, etc and for 69 years of service.