Bully McLean

Jefferson R. "Bully" McLean, born May 24th, 19001 in Arkansas,2 was a professional baseball player from 1920-1921, a professional baseball manager from 1922-1924, and a professional baseball scout for many years.

Biography

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McLean grew up in Caddo Gap, AR, the son of John McLean, a locally-known physician, and his wife Catherine. Although he went by "Jewel," in his youth,3 McLean was known as "Bully" in sporting circles. He attended college at Henderson-Brown University4 and was captain of the school baseball team.5

Well-regarded as an utility player, McLean was given a tryout in the spring of 1920 with the Little Rock Travelers. Though he did not make the team, he gained berth in the Western Association, playing with Henryetta and Fort Smith.6 Later in the season, he went to Augusta, GA, where he played in the Sally League for a time before he was suspended from the team.7

Retained by Little Rock at the end of the season,8 McLean was sent in the spring of 1921 to again play in the Western Association, this time with Chickasha club, operated by Little Rock's Ray Winder. The team went on to win the league championship, partly as a result of Mclean's impressive .317 batting average. McLean spent the next three seasons in Oklahoma State League managing Chickasha, Duncan and Shawnee.

For many years after his playing and managing days, McLean scouted for various minor league and major league teams, most notably the New York Giants.

McLean died on September 10th, 19699 in Oklahoma.10 He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City.11

Excerpts

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"At this writing McLean looks like a safe bet for the utility role, but several minor teams have begged for his services. "Bully" has done well wherever tried. The Kid now says he is going to make a catcher out of "Lard," as the other players call him, and if he does, no team in the league will have so versatile player."12

"McLean seems to have cinched the utility job, as he can play anywhere, and the Kid [Elberfeld] is working him every day as a catcher, so he will be second string there, too."13

"McLean, the Henderson-Brown College athlete who was expected to be utility player, has been sent to Henryetta . . . "14

"Infielder Bully McLean, secured by Henryetta from Little Rock, has been released to Fort Smith. He and Manager Emmet Rogers of the henrys had a falling out, so he asked for a transfer."15

"McLean, right fielders, and Cowan, third baseman, of the Augusta club, were suspended yesterday by “Dolly” Stark and both men left immediately for their homes in the west . . . McLean is going into business."16

“At third base Drap [Hayes] is playing Bully McLean, best utility player in the circuit. A dangerous hitter is Bully at all times. He started out in 1921 with Little Rock, was farmed to Augusta in the South Atlantic League, and sent to Chickasha this spring. Last year Bully was with Henryetta and Fort Smith a short period"17

"Bully McLean who was traded by the Chicks to Fort Smith for Carl Shelby and infielder Reeves, is a former football star. Bully played fullback on one of Arkansas’ collegiate elevens some years ago and was one of the best backs in his conference."18

"The deal between Chickasha and Fort Smith, in which Bully McLean was to have gone to Charley Schmidt for Reeves and Shelby, is being denied in Drap Hayes town. It is claimed that the Chicks bought Reeves and Shelby and that McLean was never figured in the deal. The Chick utility player has not appeared in the [Fort Smith] Twins lineup and is said to be in Chickasha recovering from minor injuries."19

Stats

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1920-1921 Fort Smith, Henryetta and Chickasha Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.

1920 Augusta Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.