Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Bill Veeck

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
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Sport(s): Baseball Owner and Executive
Statistics: 1 World Series Champion (1948)
2 The Sporting News Executive of the Year Awards (1948 & 1977)
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Bill Veeck first bought into a baseball team in 1940 with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association. He had designed on the Philadelphia Phillies but was unable to, as it was sold to lumber baron William D. Cox. Veeck did get his wish in 1946, as he was able to purchase the Cleveland Indians.

Veeck wasted no time implementing changes he thought necessary. A big-picture thinker, he had all of Cleveland's home games played in Municipal Stadium. Previously, it was split between that facility and the much smaller League Park. He also immediately put Cleveland games on the radio. Veeck, who grew up a fan of the Negro Leagues, was the first owner in the American League to integrate when he signed Larry Doby. He also signed Negro League legend Satchel Paige. The Indians won the World Series in 1948, but a messy divorce forced him to sell the team. Baseball remained his passion, and in 1951, he bought the St. Louis Browns.

Veeck’s ownership of the Browns was again short-lived. The rival St. Louis Cardinals were purchased by the Anheuser-Busch, and the chasm between the two Missouri teams grew. Unable to compete in the marketplace, Veeck sold to a Baltimore group where they were renamed the Orioles.

By decade’s end, Veeck was back, having bought into the Chicago White Sox. Chicago won the pennant that year (1959), but declining health forced him to sell the team only a couple of years later. Veeck's physical condition improved, and he would reacquire the White Sox in 1975. This run ran for six years, as Veeck had to sell again, this time due to growing free agency and the cost of the game. Veeck, who did not have the same resources that many of the owners possessed, had to leave the game for good.

A discussion on Veeck, even in brevity, cannot be concluded without mentioning his marketing. Veeck was responsible for:

Having 3’ 7” Eddie Gaedel (wearing 1/8 as his uniform number) bat in a game. (He walked on four pitches)
Grandstand Manager Day, where the fans held up placards to decide on the in-game strategies. (It actually broke a four-game losing streak)
Adding names to the back of the uniforms
Having a scoreboard that "exploded" when his team hit a home run
Disco Demolition Night (a debacle so bad it led to the White Sox being forced to forfeit a game)

Veeck's promotions aside, his love of baseball was unquestioned, and this is also a two-time Executive of the Year.

We are proud to nominate Bill Veeck for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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