BANG, EDWARD F. "ED" (28 Apr. 1880-27 Apr. 1968) was sports editor of the CLEVELAND NEWS for 53 years. Born in Sandusky, Ohio, to Charles and Rose Bang, he worked at the Sandusky Register and then in Youngstown before he was hired by the News. He became sports editor in 1907. Bang was influential on the local and national sports scene. A founder of the Baseball Writers' Assoc. of America, he also helped organize the Cleveland Baseball Fed., which sponsored sandlot baseball programs. In 1916, he played a persuasive role in the trade bringing outfielder TRIS SPEAKER† from Boston to the CLEVELAND INDIANS. Bang wrote the daily column "Between You and Me," and assembled a strong staff including Herman Goldstein, ED MCAULEY†, and Regis McAuley. He promoted professional basketball exhibitions and the 1931 SCHMELING-STRIBLING FIGHT in Municipal Stadium.
Bang also sponsored the annual News Toyshop Fund Boxing Show, which raised $500,000 over 30-years to provide Christmas presents for underprivileged youngsters. He was a founder of the "Round Table," an informal gathering which met daily at the Statler Grill and included I. S. (Nig) Rose and Judge SAMUEL H. SILBERT†. Bang retired shortly after the News was sold to the CLEVELAND PRESS in 1960. From 1955-77, members of the Round Table sponsored an "Ed Bang Journalism Scholarship" which was awarded annually in his honor to 2 area high school graduates.
Bang married Rose Schneider (d. 1950) in 1904. They had 4 children: Charles N., Ernest, Regina, and Betty. He died in Kirtland and is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
Last Modified: 11 Jul 1997 03:22:01 PM- Related Article(s)