Blackie Schwamb

Ralph Richard "Blackie" Schwamb (August 6, 1926 in Los Angeles – December 21, 1989 in Lancaster, California), was an American professional baseball player of German descent. He was a pitcher in the Major Leagues in 1948. He played for the St. Louis Browns where he pitched in 12 games was 1–1, 7 strikeouts and an ERA of 8.53. After the 1948 season, Schwamb killed a Long Beach doctor by the name of Dr. Donald Buge. Schwamb was doing the work to pay off a debt to Los Angeles mobster, Mickey Cohen. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1949 but was granted parole in 1960. His life is subject of Eric Stone's 2005 book Wrong Side of the Wall.