Russell Lee Bauers (May 10, 1914 – January 21, 1995) was a right-handed pitcher/left-handed batter in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Browns during eight different seasons between 1936 and 1950.

He was able to complete 11 of his starts and even threw 2 shutouts, posting a stellar ERA of 2.88, good enough for fourth-best in the league.

Bauers also placed in the league's top ten in strikeouts, winning percentage, and fewest hits allowed per nine innings.

He was able to sign a contract with the Chicago Cubs in mid-season and made a comeback of sorts, going 2–1 with a save and a nifty 3.53 ERA, but he again vanished from the majors after the season was up.

The Cubs released him after the 1948 season, and Bauers was unable to find another suitor until late in the 1949 campaign, when he signed with the St. Louis Browns.