Team Owners
From SABR Encyclopedia
Below listed are the majority (where applicable) (and prominent minority where available) team owners for each major league franchise.
Contents |
[edit] American Association
Athletic 1882-October 1887: Partnership- Lew Simmons, Billy Sharsig, and Charlie Mason (3)(30)
Athletic October 1887-1890: Incorporated; H.C. Pennypacker, William Whitaker, Lew Simmons, and Billy Sharsig primary shareholders (club taken over by league late in 1890 season) (28)(30)
Baltimore (1) 1882: Henry Myers (1)
Baltimore (2) 1883-1884: Billy Barnie and A.P. Houck (2)
Baltimore (2) 1885-?: Billy Barnie (2)
Baltimore (2) ?-1891: Harry Vonderhorst (3) (Vonderhorst became a minority investor sometime during the mid-1880's and gradually purchased additional shares, eventually becoming majority owner)
Baltimore Base Ball and Exhibition Company incorporated 10/27/1890 by Harry Vonderhorst, Herman Vonderhorst, Billy Barnie, John Waltz, and William Belt per 11/1/1890 Sporting Life, p.1
He maybe started in 1886 per 8/25/1886 SL, p. 1
Boston 1891: Charles Prince (3)
Brooklyn (1) 1884-1889: Ferdinand Abell, Charles Byrne, and Joseph Doyle (3)
Brooklyn (2) 1890: American Association (31)
Cincinnati (1) 1882-1883: Unknown. Some sources say Justis Thorner; David Nemec's Beer and Whisky League has him as owning a small share in 1882 only.
Cincinnati (1) 1884-Feb. 1886: Aaron Stern, George Herancourt, and Louis Kramer (corporate ownership) (19) but Greg Rhodes, Cincinnati Reds team historian, reports that Herancourt was principal owner in 1885.
Cincinnati (1) Feb. 1886-November 1886: John Hauck (21) (32)
Cincinnati (1) November 1886-1889: Aaron Stern (3)
Cincinnati (2) 1891: Uncertain. It was incorporated by Ed Renau, Henry Strauss, Charles Kauffman, George Munson, and E. W. Murphy per Sporting Life 3/21/1891, p. 3 but 7/11/1891 issue says other 7 clubs must bear its losses. Chris Von Der Ahe owned 75% of club at time of sale to Milwaukee per 8/17/1891 Sporting Life.
Cleveland 1887-1888: Frank Robison (22)
Columbus (1) 1883-1884: Unknown (possibly same as Allegheny per David Nemec's Beer and Whisky League, p.72)
Columbus (2) 1889-1891: Ralph Lazarus and Conrad Born (25)
Kansas City 1888: 40-50 shareholders, president Fred Heim (33)
Kansas City 1888-1889: George Kitchum (3)
Eclipse 1882-1883: J. H. Pank, president (6)
Eclipse/Louisville 1883-1885: Will Jackson president (128)
Louisville 1885-May? 1888: Zack Phelps president (6)
Louisville May? 1888-July 5, 1889: Mordecai Davidson (24)
Louisville July 1889-November 1891: Syndicate led by Lawrence Parsons, president; Parsons resigned and new investors were brought in mid-1891 (29) (6) (130)
Louisville November 1891-: Syndicate led by Thomas Stuckey (130)
Metropolitan 1883-1885: Metropolitan Exhibition Company, James Day principal
Metropolitan 1886-1887: Erastus Wiman (4)
Metropolitan October 1887: Ferdinand Abel, Charles Byrne, and Joseph Doyle (23)(34)
Milwaukee 1891: Corporate ownership, Harry Gillette, president (3)
Philadelphia 1891: J. Earle Wagner and George Wagner (7)
Allegheny/Pittsburgh 1882-1886: Denny McKnight (18)
Pittsburgh 1886: Horace Phillips and William Nimick, others: corporate ownership (20)
Rochester 1890: Henry Brinker (3)
St. Louis 1882-1891: Chris Von Der Ahe (8) (3)
Syracuse 1890: George K. Frazier (27)
Toledo (1) 1884: Unknown
Toledo (2) 1890: Valentino Ketcham (26)
Virginia 1884: Unknown
Washington (1) 1884: Unknown
Washington (2) 1891: Unknown, many stockholders; H.B. Bennett president (35) (6)
[edit] American League
Baltimore (1)/New York 1901-1902: Sydney Frank majority owner (3) AL took over club August 1902
New York 1903-January 1915: Frank Farrell and Bill Devery (3)(37)
New York January 1915-June 1, 1923: Jacob Ruppert and T. Huston (3)(36)
New York June 1, 1923-January 13, 1939: Jacob Ruppert (3)(162)
New York January 13, 1939-January 26, 1945: Jacob Ruppert heirs (Mrs. Joseph Holleran, Mrs. J. Basil Maguire, Helen Winthrope Weyant) (3) (39)
New York January 26, 1945-October 7, 1947: Dan Topping, Del Webb, and Larry MacPhail (3) (38)
New York October 7, 1947-November 2, 1964: Dan Topping and Del Webb (3) (40)
New York November 2, 1964-January 3, 1973: Columbia Broadcasting System (3)(163)
New York January 3, 1973- 1993: Partnership, George Steinbrenner principal (majority owner since 1976) (3)
Boston 1901-January 1902: Charles Somers (41)
Boston January 1902-April 18, 1904: Henry Killilea (3)
Boston April 18, 1904-September 1911: Charles Taylor and John Taylor (3)(164)
Boston September 1911- December 8, 1913: Jimmy McAleer and Robert McRoy (50%), Taylors (50%) (42)
Boston December 8, 1913-May 14, 1914: Joseph Lannin (50%) and Taylors (50%) (43)
Boston May 14, 1914-November 1, 1916: Joseph Lannin (44)
Boston November 1, 1916-August 1, 1923: Harry Frazee and Hugh Ward (3)(165)
Boston August 1, 1923-February 25, 1933: Syndicate led by Robert Quinn (3)(166)
Boston February 25, 1933-1976: Tom Yawkey (3)(167)
Boston 1976-1978: Tom Yawkey estate (3)
Boston 1978-March 30, 1987: Jean Yawkey, Haywood Sullivan, and Buddy LeRoux (3)(45)
Boston March 30, 1987-February 26, 1992: JRY Corp. (owned by Jean Yawkey) (2/3), Haywood Sullivan (1/3) (46)
Boston February 26, 1992-November 1993: JRY Corp and Haywood Sullivan (owned 12% at time of sale) (ownership of JRY Corp. passed to John Harrington per 3/22/1992 Washington Post p. D9) (47)
Boston November 1993: JRY Corp. (47)
Los Angeles/California 1961-1983: Golden West Baseball Co., five other shareholders (3) (74)
California 1983-1993: Gene Autry (10)
Chicago 1901-1931: Charles Comiskey (3)
Chicago 1931-July 18, 1939: Louis Comiskey (7450 shares) & Harry Grabiner (50 shares) (3)(48)(49)
Chicago July 18, 1939-December 10, 1956: Grace Comiskey and children (all but 50 shares) (First National Bank of Chicago was trustee from July 18, 1939 to February 17, 1941) (50) (3)
Chicago December 10, 1956-February 18, 1959: Dorothy Comiskey Rigney (3975 shares) and Charles Comiskey (3475 shares) (3) (51)
Chicago February 18, 1959-June 10, 1961: Bill Veeck-led syndicate (CBC Corporation) and Charles Comiskey (3) (52) (54)
Chicago June 10 to December 11, 1961: Artnell Company and Charles Comiskey (55) (74)
Chicago December 11, 1961- May 4, 1962: Artnell Company (majority owner) and RBR Corporation (Bill Bartholomay and 10 other owners) (minority share representing 2466 shares or 46%) (53) (55) (74)
Chicago May 4, 1962- 1975: Artnell Company (53) (57) (74)
Chicago 1975-February 2, 1981: Syndicate led by Bill Veeck (3) (56)
Chicago February 2, 1981-1993: Eddie Einhorn-led syndicate including Jerry Reinsdorf (3)
Cleveland 1901-1910: Charles Somers and Jack Kilfoyle (3)
Cleveland 1910-1916: Charles Somers (3)
Cleveland 1916-1922: Syndicate led by James Dunn (3)
Cleveland 1922-1927: Syndicate led by Mrs. James Dunn, later Mrs. George Pross (3)
Cleveland 1927-1946: Syndicate led by Alva Bradley (3)
Cleveland 1946-November 21, 1949: Syndicate led by Bill Veeck (3) (58)
Cleveland 1949-1956: Syndicate led by Ellis Ryan (3); Myron Wilson replaced Ryan December 1952 (59)
Cleveland February? 1956-August 13, 1966: Syndicate led by William Daley (Daley and Ignatius O'Shaughnessy owned about 2/3 as of 12/1961) (3) (74)
Cleveland August 13, 1966-1972: Vern Stouffer (3) (60)
Cleveland 1972-February 3, 1978: Partnership led by Nick Mileti (3)
Cleveland February 3, 1978- December 1986: Limited partnership led by F. J. (Steve) O'Neill (O'Neill interest inherited by charitable corporation 1983-86) (3) (61) (62)
Cleveland December 1986-September 17, 1992: Richard and David Jacobs (3) (63)
Cleveland September 17, 1992-1993: Richard Jacobs and David Jacobs estate? (64)
Detroit 1901-1902: James Burns and George Stallings (49% each) (84)
Detroit 1902-1903: Samuel Angus (3, 14)
Detroit 1903-1920: William Yawkey (50%), Frank Navin (49%) (3) (65) (Yawkey estate 3/5/1919-1920) (67)
Detroit 1920-December 28, 1928: Frank Navin (50%) and Walter Briggs and John Kelsey (50%) (3) (66)
Detroit December 28, 1928-1935: Frank Navin (50%) and Walter Briggs (50%) (176)
Detroit 1935-January 17, 1952: Walter Briggs (3)(178)
Detroit 1952-October 1, 1956: Walter Briggs estate (3)(178)(180)
Detroit October 1, 1956-October 1960: Syndicate led by John Fetzer (3) (80) (178)
Detroit October 1960-1983: Fetzer Broadcasting Co. (74)
Detroit 1983-1992: Tom Monaghan (3)
Detroit 1992-1993: Mike Illitch (10)
Kansas City (2) 1969-1983: Ewing Kaufman (3)
Kansas City (2) 1983-1989: Ewing Kaufman-51%, Avron Fogelman 49% (3)
Kansas City (2) 1989-1990: Ewing Kaufman-50%, Avron Fogelman 50% (3)
Kansas City (2) 1990-1993: Ewing Kaufman (3)
Kansas City (2) 1993: Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trust (10)
Milwaukee (1) 1901: Matthew and Henry Killelea and Fred Gross (11)
St. Louis 1902-January 4, 1916: Syndicate led by Robert L. Hedges (484 out of 800 shares) (3) (68)
St. Louis January 4, 1916-1933: Phil Ball (2350 shares), Otto Stifel (733 shares), and James Garneau (109 shares) plus minor stockholders (3) (69)
St. Louis 1933-1936: Philip Ball estate/heirs (3)
St. Louis 1936-August 1945: Syndicate led by Donald Barnes; as of 1942 Barnes owned 31% of stock and Richard Muckerman owned 25% (3) (70)
St. Louis August 1945-February 2, 1949: Richard Muckerman (56%) (3) (70)
St. Louis February 2, 1949-1951: Bill and Charles DeWitt, majority owners (3) (71)
St. Louis 1951-September 29, 1953: B.B. Company (78.5%)(3) (72) (73)
St. Louis/Baltimore (2) September 29, 1953-1965: Syndicate led by Clarence Miles, over 2000 stockholders. Joseph Iglehart, largest shareholder (32%) became chairman of board in 1955 (3) (74) (75) (76)
Baltimore (2) 1965-August 2, 1979: National Brewing Co. and Zan Krieger owned 78% after Iglehart sold per 6/5/65 TSN p. 23, in 1969 Baltimore Orioles, Inc. owned 75.76% of club; National Brewing Co. owned 65.93% of Baltimore Orioles, Inc. (77)
Baltimore (2) August 2, 1979-1988: Edward B. Williams (3)
Baltimore (2) 1988-August 1993: Syndicate led by Eli Jacobs (3)
Baltimore (2) August 1993: Syndicate led by Peter Angelos (Angelos owned about 50% and syndicate 80%) (79)
Philadelphia 1901-October 20, 1902: Ben Shibe, Charles Somers, Connie Mack, and minor investors (15)
Philadelphia October 20, 1902-November 1903: Ben Shibe, Connie Mack, and minor investors (15)
Philadelphia 1903-October 22, 1912: Ben Shibe and sons (50%), Connie Mack (25%), Frank Hough and Sam Jones (25%)(17)
Philadelphia October 22, 1912-August 28, 1950: Shibe family (50%) and Mack family (50%) (3)(171) (Connie Mack bought 18.8% of Shibe interest sometime after the deaths of John and Tom Shibe in 1937 (171))
Philadelphia August 28, 1950-1954: Connie, Roy, and Earle Mack (3)(171)
Kansas City 1955-1960: Arnold Johnson (3)
Kansas City/Oakland 1960-September 1980: Charles O. Finley (3)
Oakland September 1980-1993: Walter A. Haas, Jr., Walter J. Haas, and Roy Eisenhardt (3) (81)
Seattle (1) 1969: Syndicate led by Dewey Soriano, William Daley majority owner (3)
Milwaukee (2) 1970-1993 Syndicate led by Bud Selig (3)
Seattle (2) 1977-February 1981: Syndicate led by Lester Smith and Danny Kaye (3) (83)
Seattle (2) February 1981-1989: George Argyros (80%) (3) (82)
Seattle (2) 1989-1992: Syndicate led by Jeff Smulyan (3)
Seattle (2) 1992-1993: Syndicate led by Hiroshi Yamauchi (3)
Toronto 1977-1991: Labatt's Breweries and Imperial Trust Ltd. owned 90% (3)(159)
Toronto 1991-1993: John Labatt Ltd. (90%) (3)(160)
Washington (1) 1901-1902: Ban Johnson majority owner per (3), Jimmy Manning Per (11) and (5) Manning fronting for Johnson per (17)
Washington (1) 1902-1903: Fred Postal (14) (85)
Washington (1) 1904-1912: Syndicate led by Thomas Noyes, Lambert, and Dwyer (80%), or American League (3) (158)
Washington (1) 1912-December 1919: Same syndicate now led by Benjamin Minor (3)
Washington (1) December 1919-December 1949: Clark Griffith (39.255%) and William Richardson (39.255%) initially. Griffith owned about 45% as of July 1949. Richardson's shares passed to his brother George and then George's son William (3) (174)
Washington (1) December 1949-1950: John Jachym and then H. Gabriel Murphy buy Richardson's share (3) (86)(175)
Washington (1) 1950-October 1955: Clark Griffith and H. Gabriel Murphy (3)
Washington (1)/Minnesota 1955-1984: Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Joe Haynes, and their siblings (48% initially, 51.1% in late 1961) and H. Gabriel Murphy (40%) (3) (74) (86)
Minnesota 1984-1993: Carl Pohlad (3)
Washington (2) 1961-February 1963: Syndicate led by Pete Quesada, 10 equal owners (3) (74)
Washington (2) February 1963- January 1965: James Johnston, James Lemon, and George Bunker (80% collectively) (87)
Washington (2) January 1965-December 28, 1967: James Johnston and James Lemon (100%) (88) (89)
Washington (2) December 28, 1967-January 28, 1969: James Lemon and James Johnston estate (89) (90)
Washington (2)/Texas January 28, 1969-1974 Bob Short (3) (91)
Texas 1974-1980: Syndicate led by Brad Corbett (3)
Texas 1980-1989: Syndicate led by Eddie Chiles (3)
Texas 1989-1993: Syndicate led by George W. Bush (3)
[edit] National League
Baltimore 1892-1898: Harry Von der Horst (3)
Baltimore 1899: Ferdinand Abel, Harry Von Der Horst, Charles Ebbets, and Ned Hanlon (3)
Boston 1876: Many owners, Nathaniel Apollonio president (92)
Boston 1877-1904: Arthur Soden, James Billings, and William Conant (3)
Boston 1904-1906: Arthur Soden and William Conant (3)
Boston 1906-1910: John and George Dovey and John Harris (3)
Boston 1910-1911: Syndicate led by William H. Russell (3)
Boston 1911-1916: James Gaffney (3)
Boston 1916-1919: Syndicate led by Percy Houghton (3)
Boston 1919-February 20, 1923: George W. Grant (3) (93)
Boston February 20, 1923-July 31, 1935: Syndicate led by Judge Emil Fuchs (3)
Boston July 31, 1935-April 20, 1941: Charles Adams (73%) (10) (94) Note- Taken over by NL
November 26, 1935 and control given to Bob Quinn December 31, 1935, but Adams retained ownership (95) (96) (97)
Boston April 20, 1941-January 21, 1944: Syndicate led by Bob Quinn (3) (97)
Boston January 21,1944-1951: Lou Perini, Guido Rugo, and Joseph Maney (98); Perini majority owner after 1946 season (100)
Boston 1951-November 26, 1952: Lou Perini and brothers (55%) and Joseph Maney (20%) (3) (99)
Boston/Milwaukee November 26, 1952-November 16, 1962: B. Perini & Sons, Inc. (99) later known as Perini Corp. (99.88%) (74) (100)
Milwaukee/Atlanta November 16, 1962-1976: Syndicate led by William Bartholomay and Thomas Reynolds (3) (100)
Atlanta 1976-1993: Ted Turner
Brooklyn 1890-January 1892: Ferdinand Abell (50%), Charles Byrne (20%), and Joseph Doyle (30%) (3) (101) PL team owners bought minority share (37%) in 1891
Brooklyn January 1892-January 1898: Ferdinand Abell (51%), Charles Byrne (12%), Players League team owners (37%) (101) (102)
Brooklyn 1898: Ferdinand Abell and Charles Ebbets (88%), estate of Charles Byrne (12%) (103)
Brooklyn 1899-March 1905: Ferdinand Abell, Harry Von Der Horst, Charles Ebbets, and Ned Hanlon (3) (183)
Brooklyn March 1905-November 4, 1907: Charles Ebbets and Henry Medicus (51%), Ned Hanlon and Ferdinand Abell 49% (183)
Brooklyn November 4, 1907-1912: Charles Ebbets 60%, Henry Medicus 30#, Charles Ebbets, Jr. 10% (182)
Brooklyn 1912-1925: Charles Ebbets, Ed McKeever, Steve McKeever (3) (Henry Medicus sold his shares in 1913 per 1/3/1914 Sporting Life, p. 6)
Brooklyn 1925-1944: Ebbets and McKeever families (3)
Brooklyn 1944-1945: Ebbets family, Mrs. Jim Mulvey, Walter O'Malley group (O'Malley, Branch Rickey, and John L. Smith)(177) (3)
Brooklyn 1945-1950: Walter O'Malley group and Mrs. Jim Mulvey (3)
Brooklyn/Los Angeles 1950-1957: Walter O'Malley (50%), John Smith heirs (25%), Mrs. Jim Mulvey and heirs (25%) (3)(177)
Los Angeles 1957-August 1979: Walter O'Malley, Mrs. Jim Mulvey and heirs (3)
Los Angeles August 1979-1993: Peter O'Malley and Teresa Seidler (3) (104)
Buffalo 1879-1885: Various stockholders, purchased by Detroit directors in late 1885 (119)
Chicago 1876-1882: William Hulbert principal shareholder (10)
Chicago 1882-December 1892: Albert G. Spalding and John R. Walsh (10) (105)
Chicago December 1892-November 1905: Syndicate led by James Hart (10) (105)
Chicago November 1905-February 1914: Syndicate led by Charles Murphy (3) (108)
Chicago February 1914-1915: Syndicate led by Charles Taft (who bought Murphy's 53%) (106) (111)
Chicago 1916-1918: Syndicate led by Charles Weeghman (3)
Chicago 1918-1932: William Wrigley (3)
Chicago 1932-1977: Philip K. Wrigley (3)
Chicago 1977: Helen and Bill Wrigley (109)
Chicago 1977-1981: Bill Wrigley (81.37%); Michael Frank (.03%)(3) (168) (169)
Chicago 1981-1993: Tribune Company (3)
Cincinnati (1) 1876-1877: Si Keck (107)
Cincinnati (2) 1877-1879: Eight businessmen (107)
Cincinnati (3) 1880: Unknown, Justis Thorner first, then W.C. Kennett president (110)(173)
Cincinnati (4) 1890: Aaron Stern (3)
Cincinnati (5) 1891-1902: John T. Brush (3) (12)
Cincinnati (5) 1902-September 25, 1929: Syndicate led by Max and Julius Fleischmann, including Garry Herrmann. Largest shareholder at end:Lou Widrig (41.67%) (3) (172)
Cincinnati (5) September 25, 1929-1933: Sidney Weil (53%) (3)(172)
Cincinnati (5) 1933-1934: Central Trust Company (3)
Cincinnati (5) 1934-1961: Syndicate led by Powell Crosley (3)
Cincinnati (5) 1961-April 1962: Crosley Foundation (77%) (3) (74) (114)
Cincinnati (5) April 1962-December 5, 1966: Cincinnati Reds, Inc., Bill DeWitt principal owner (3) (112) (113)
Cincinnati (5) December 5, 1966-February? 1981: 617, Inc, (3) (Louis Nippert acquired majority control of 617, Inc. in January 1973) (117)
Cincinnati (5) February? 1981- December 21, 1984: Partnership led by James and William Williams (116)
Cincinnati (5) December 21, 1984-1993: Marge Schott (3) (115)
Cleveland 1889-1891: Frank Robison?
Cleveland 1892-1899: Frank and Stanley Robison? (179)
Colorado 1993: Colorado Baseball Partnership, John Antonucci principal (3)
Detroit 1881-1884: Walter G. Thompson (6) (120)
Detroit 1884-September 1886: Numerous shareholders (118)
Detroit September 1886-1888: Group headed by Fred Stearns (3) (118)
Florida 1993: South Florida Big League Baseball, Inc., H. Wayne Huizenga principal (3)
Hartford 1876-1877: Morgan Bulkley (3)
Houston 1962-1963: Houston Sports Association, Craig Cullinan principal, 12 stockholders (3) (74)
Houston 1963-1965: Houston Sports Association, R. E. Smith principal, owned 63% in 1965 (121)
Houston 1965-June 1975: Houston Sports Association, Roy Hofheinz majority owner (121). By June 1975 Astrodomain Corp., wholly owned by Hofheinz family, owned 98% of Houston Sports Authority (122)
Houston June 1975-1979: Houston Sports Authority, owned by Astrodomain Corp., which was controlled by GE Credit Corp., Ford Motor Credit Corp., and HNC Realty (122). The two credit corps. purchased Hofheinz's interest on September 23, 1976. (181) (per (123) GE sold to Ford in November 1978 which became sole owner)
Houston 1979-November 1992: Houston Sports Authority, owned by Astrodomain Corp., owned by syndicate led by John McMullen (123)
Houston November 1992-1993: Drayton McLane (9) (124)
Indianapolis (1) 1878: Unknown
Indianapolis (2) 1887-1889 John T. Brush, A.J. Treat, and G.W. Burnham (3)
Kansas City 1886: Unknown, Fred Heim president (33)
Louisville (1) 1876-1877: Walter Haldeman (3)
Louisville (2) -November 1892: Syndicate led by Thomas Stuckey (130)
Louisville (2) November 1892-1894: Same syndicate, Fred Drexler president; J. G. Ruckstuhl owned 21 shares, Drexler had 14, and Stuckey owned 13. (6) (129) (140)
Louisville (2) 1894-1897: Same syndicate, Thomas Stuckey president; Frank Fehr Brewing Co. largest shareholder (6) (131)
Louisville (2) January 1897-1899: Charley Dehler, J. F. Kellner, and estate of J.G. Ruckstuhl owned controlling interest; Barney Dreyfus had largest individual share. (132) (134)
Louisville (2) 1899: Barney Dreyfus. Unknown when Dreyfus acquired majority interest. (133)
Milwaukee 1878: Unknown
Montreal 1969-1990: Syndicate led by Charles Bronfman and John McHale (3)
Montreal 1990-1993: Syndicate led by Charles Brochu (3)
Mutual 1876: William Cammeyer (3) (107)
New York (1) 1883-October 1890: Metropolitan Exhibition Company, John B. Day principal (125)
New York (1) October 1890-1895: Merged with NY PL team- Talcott et. al. Talcott became managing director at some point before December 1894 per 12/22/94 SL p. 2 (125), Van Cott president per 1/6/94 SL p. 3, name of controlling corporation changed to National Exhibition Co. at some point, at merger?
New York (1) 1895-1902: National Exhibition Company, owned by Andrew Freedman (3)
New York (1) 1902-1912: National Exhibition Company, owned by John T. Brush (3)
New York (1) 1912-1919: National Exhibition Company, owned by Brush family (3)
New York (1) 1919-1928: National Exhibition Company, owned by Charles Stoneham, Francis McQuade, and John McGraw (3)
New York (1) 1928-1934: National Exhibition Company, owned by Charles Stoneham and John McGraw (3)
New York (1) 1934-1936: National Exhibition Company, owned by Charles Stoneham (3)
New York (1)/San Francisco 1936-1976: National Exhibition Company, owned by Horace Stoneham (3) (127) NEC owned by Third Securities Company per 2/6/57 TSN p. 18
San Francisco 1976-1977: Bob Lurie (51%) and Bud Herseth (49%) (3)
San Francisco 1977-January 1993: Bob Lurie (3)
San Francisco January 1993-: Syndicate led by Peter Magowan (3)
New York (2) 1962-1975: Joan Payson (3)
New York (2) 1975-1980: Joan Payson estate/heirs (3)
New York (2) 1980-November 14, 1986: Syndicate led by Doubleday and Company (3)
New York (2) November 14, 1986-1993: Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon (3) (161)
Athletic 1876: B. W. Thompson (3)
Philadelphia 1883-February 28, 1903: Alfred Reach and Col. John Rogers (10) (135) (3)
Philadelphia February 28, 1903-March 2, 1909: Syndicate led by James Potter (135) (141)
Philadelphia March 2, 1909-November 1909: Syndicate including Israel Durham, James McNichol, and Clarence Wolf (bought 75.6%) (140)
Philadelphia November 1909-January 15, 1913: Syndicate led by Horace Fogel; including Charles Murphy and Charles Taft; the latter owned 99.6% of stock at time of sale to Locke syndicate. (3) (141) (143) Murphy regained interest when Locke died and sold to Baker per 11/28/1914 SL, p. 1
Philadelphia January 15, 1913-August 1915: Syndicate led by William Locke, Locke died and was replaced by William Baker in August 1913; Locke and Baker owned 51% of stock (3) (69)
Philadelphia August 1915-1930: Frederick Chandler, Col. Thomas Murphy, and Lewis Ruch purchased Locke's stock and with Baker owned 65%. (69)
Philadelphia 1930-February 6, 1936: Mrs. Laura Baker (15.14%), Lewis Ruch (26%) and Mae Nugent (10%) (3) (137) (144) (145) (146) (155)
Philadelphia February 6, 1936-February 9,1943: Mae Nugent and Gerald Nugent (3) (137)
Philadelphia February 9-March 3, 1943: National League (138)
Philadelphia March 3- November 23, 1943: Syndicate led by William Cox (93.8%) (3) (136) (139)
Philadelphia November 23, 1943-1981: Bob Carpenter, Sr. and Jr. (originally owned 9000 of 19,500 shares per 11/24/1943 New Orleans Times-Picayune, p. 14) (3)
Philadelphia 1981-1993: Syndicate led by William Giles (3)
Pittsburgh 1887-November 1891: Horace Phillips and William Nimick, E. Converse, others: corporate ownership (3) (10) (20) (148)
Pittsburgh November 1891-January 1893: William Temple (400 shares), others (147) 850 shares outstanding per 1/7/93 TSN p. 1
Pittsburgh January 1893-1899: Phil Auten and William Kerr (149)
Pittsburgh 1900- Febraury 18, 1901: Barney Dreyfuss and Auten and Kerr (3)(170)
Pittsburgh February 18, 1901-1932: Barney Dreyfuss (3)
Pittsburgh 1932-1946: Mrs. Barney Dreyfuss (3)
Pittsburgh 1946-1950: Syndicate led by Frank McKinney (3)
Pittsburgh 1950-1983: John Galbreath and Tom Johnson (3)
Pittsburgh 1983-1985: John Galbreath (51%) and Warner Communication (49%) (3)
Pittsburgh 1985-1993: Syndicate led by Westinghouse (3)
Providence 1878-1885: Henry Root (3)
San Diego 1969-1974: Syndicate led by C. Arnholdt Smith (3)
San Diego 1974-1984: Ray Kroc (3)
San Diego 1984-1990: Joan Kroc (3)
San Diego 1990-1993: Syndicate led by Tom Warner
St. Louis (1) 1876-1877: Many stockholders, John B.C. Lucas president (151)
St. Louis (2) 1885-1886: Henry Lucas (3)
St. Louis (3) 1892-1898: Chris Von Der Ahe (3)
St. Louis 1899: Edward Becker aquired team from VDA and sold majority interest to Robisons (154)
St. Louis (3) 1899-1905: Frank and Stanley Robison; Edward Becker minority owner through 1917 per Jeffrey Kittel (3)
St. Louis (3) 1905-1911: Stanley Robison (3)
St. Louis (3) 1911-1917: Helene Britton (3)
St. Louis (3) 1917-1920: Syndicate led by James Jones (3)
St. Louis (3) 1920-November 1947: Sam Breadon (3) (152)
St. Louis (3) November 1947-January 1949: Fred Saigh and Bob Hannegan (3) (153)
St. Louis (3) January 1949- March 1953: Fred Saigh (3)
St. Louis (3) March 1953-1993: August A. Busch & Co. (3) (74)
Syracuse 1879: Unknown
Troy 1879-1882: Unknown
Washington (1) 1886-1889: Robert and Walter Hewitt; other stockholders include Mike Scanlon, A. Britton, H. Bennett, C. White, R. Drinkard, and R. Brown (3) (156)
Washington (2) 1892-1899: George Wagner (35)
Worcester 1880-1882: Unknown
[edit] Player's National League 1890
Boston: Charles Prince (3)
Brooklyn: Wendell Goodwin, John Walles, and Edward Linton (3)
Buffalo: Jack Rowe and Deacon White (3)
Chicago: John Addison (3)
Cleveland: Al Johnson (3)
New York: E. B. Talcott, principal; Edwin McAlpin, T. Robinson, and Cornelius Van Cott other owners (126)
Philadelphia: J. Earle and George Wagner (157)
Pittsburgh: Phil Auten, later Addison (150); William Kerr, H. Rea and William McCallin?
(1) 1896 Reach Guide
(2) 11/8/1884 New York Clipper
(3) Quirk, James and Rodney D. Fort, Pay Dirt: The Business of Professional Team Sports, Princeton University Press, 1992, pp. 378-408
(4) Seymour, Harold, Baseball The Early Years, Oxford U Press, 1969, p. 214
(5) 12/27/1889 Philadelphia Inquirer
(6) Total Baseball, HarperCollins Publishers, 1993, pp. 2257-2259
(7) 1/18/1891 Philadelphia Inquirer
(8) 3/7/1882 St. Louis Globe-Democrat
(9) Vrooman, John, "A Unified Theory of Capital and Labor Markets," Southern Economic Journal 63 no. 3, Jan 1997, pp 608-10
(10) Purdy, Dennis, The Team by Team Encylopedia of Major League Baseball, Workman Pub, 2006
(11) Reidenbaugh, Lowell, Take Me Out to the Ballpark
(12) 2/15/1891 Philadelphia Inquirer
(13) “A Structure to Last Forever” by Ethan M. Lewis, http://www.ethanlewis.org/pl/ch1.html
(14) Macht, Norman L., Connie Mack and the Early Years of Baseball, University of Nebraska Press, 2007, p. 260
(15) ibid, p. 203
(16) ibid, p. 568
(17) ibid, p. 232
(18) Nemec, David, The Beer and Whisky League, Lyons & Burford, 1994, p. 54
(19) ibid, p.66
(20) ibid, pp.111, 118
(21) ibid, p. 112
(22) ibid, p. 133
(23) ibid, p. 140
(24) ibid, pp. 151, 172
(25) ibid, p. 167
(26) ibid, p. 186
(27) ibid, p. 188
(28) ibid, p. 192
(29) ibid, pp. 224, 172
(30) Sporting Life, 11/2/1887, p. 1
(31) Sporting Life, 8/30/1890, p. 1
(32) Sporting Life, 11/3/1886, p. 5
(33) Sporting Life, 1/25/1888, pp. 1-2
(34) Sporting Life, 10/12/1887, p. 1
(35) Sporting Life, 12/19/1891, p. 1
(36) Washington Post, 6/1/1923, p. 14
(37) New York Times, 1/31/1915, p. S1
(38) Los Angeles Times, 10/8/1947, p. 13
(39) Chicago Daily Tribune, 1/27/1945, p. 15
(40) Washington Post, 11/3/1964, p. B2
(41) Washington Post, 2/2/1902, p.24
(42) Washington Post, 9/16/1911, p. 8
(43) Boston Daily Globe, 12/9/1913, p. 6
(44) Hartford Courant, 5/14/1914, p. 18
(45) Chicago Tribune, 3/31/1987, p. C9
(46) New York Times, 2/27/1992, p. B15
(47) New York Times, 11/27/1993, p. S3
(48) New York Times, 7/19/1939, p. 26
(49) Chicago Daily Tribune, 2/22/1940, p. 29
(50) Chicago Daily Tribune, 12/11/1956, p. C1
(51) Chicago Daily Tribune, 12/22/1956, p. A1
(52) Chicago Daily Tribune, 2/18/1959, p. C1
(53) Washington Post, 5/5/1962, p. C3
(54) Chicago Sunday Tribune, 6/11/1961, p. A1
(55) Chicago Daily Tribune, 12/16/1961, p. B1
(56) Hartford Courant, 2/4/1981, p. D6
(57) Washington Post, 9/26/1969, p. D2
(58) Washington Post, 11/22/1949, p. B6
(59) Sporting News, 12/31/1959, p. 20
(60) Sporting News, 8/27/1966, p. 5
(61) Sporting News, 2/25/1978, p. 46
(62) New York Times, 9/16/1983, p. A16
(63) Sporting News, 4/27/1992, p. 26
(64) Sporting News, 1/4/1993, p. S-23
(65) Sporting Life, 2/1/1908, p. 9
(66) Chicago Sunday Tribune, 3/21/1920, p. A1
(67) Washington Post, 2/3/1920, p. 9
(68) Sporting Life, 1/15/1916, p. 12
(69) Sporting Life, 2/19/1916, p. 7
(70) Sporting News, 8/16/1945, p. 5
(71) Sporting News, 2/9/1949, p. 2
(72) Sporting News, 4/29/1953, p. 4
(73) Sporting News, 10/7/1953, p. 3
(74) Sporting News, 12/13/1961, p. 11
(75) Sporting News, 11/30/1955, p. 7
(76) Sporting News, 5/8/1965, p. 8
(77) Sporting News, 2/15/1969, p. 28
(78) Sporting News, 8/18/1979, p. 6
(79) Sporting News, 8/16/1993, p. 25
(80) Sporting News, 10/19/1960, p. 1
(81) Sporting News, 9/13/1980, p. 41
(82) Sporting News, 2/14/1981, p. 45
(83) Sporting News, 2/28/1976, p. 32
(84) Sporting Life, 12/22/1900, p. 5
(85) Sporting Life, 11/15/1902, p. 7
(86) Sporting News, 11/9/1955, p. 2
(87) Sporting News, 2/16/1963, p. 7
(88) Sporting News, 1/23/1965, p. 18
(89) Sporting News, 1/20/1968, p. 32
(90) Sporting News, 2/28/1969, p. 30
(91) Sporting News, 4/27/1974, p. 34
(92) Chicago Daily Tribune, 12/24/1876, p. 3
(93) Los Angeles Times, 2/21/1923, p. III1
(94) Chicago Daily Tribune, 8/1/1935, p. 25
(95) Chicago Daily Tribune, 11/27/1935, p. 21
(96) Washington Post, 1/1/1936, p. 19
(97) Los Angeles Times, 4/21/1941, p. 19
(98) New York Times, 1/22/1944, p. 16
(99) Sporting News, 12/3/1952, p. 15
(100) Sporting News, 12/1/1962, p. 11
(101) Sporting Life, 1/16/1892, p. 2
(102) Sporting Life, 1/8/1898, p. 5
(103) Sporting News, 2/19/1898, p. 7
(104) Sporting News, 9/8/1979, p. 56
(105) Chicago Daily Tribune, 12/18/1892, p. 6
(106) Sporting Life, 2/28/1914, p. 3
(107) Seymour, op. cit., p. 88
(108) Stout, Glenn, The Cubs, Houghton Mifflin, 2007, p.44
(109) ibid, p. 308
(110) “From Semipro to the National League: A Cincinnati Story” by Frederick Ivor-Campbell, Nineteenth Century Notes, No. 99:1, Winter 1999, pp. 1-2
(111) Stout, op. cit., p. 80
(112) Chicago Tribune, 12/6/1966, p. C1
(113) Chicago Daily Tribune, 3/24/1962, p. E1
(114) Sporting News, 4/11/1962, p. 23
(115) New York Times, 12/22/1984, p. 19
(116) Sporting News, 2/28/1981, p. 39
(117) Sporting News, 1/27/1973, p. 39
(118) Sporting Life, 10/6/1886, p. 1
(119) Sporting Life, 9/23/1885, p. 1
(120) Sporting Life, 12/9/1885, p. 1
(121) Sporting News, 12/15/1973, p. 47
(122) Sporting News, 7/12/1975, p. 15
(123) Sporting News, 5/26/1979, p. 34
(124) Sporting News, 11/9/1992, p. 45
(125) Hardy, James D., Jr., The New York Giants Base Ball Club, McFarland & Company, Inc., 1996, p. 32
(126) ibid, pp. 123-4
(127) Sporting News, 7/2/1942, p. 19
(128) Nemec, op.cit., p. 67
(129) Sporting Life, 11/26/1892, p. 2
(130) Sporting Life, 1/23/1892, p. 11
(131) Sporting Life, 12/29/1894, p. 6
(132) Sporting Life, 1/16/1897, p. 4
(133) Sporting Life, 2/25/1899, p. 7
(134) Sporting Life, 1/9/1897, p. 2
(135) Sporting Life, 3/7/1903, p. 4
(136) Sporting News, 2/25/1943, p. 1
(137) Sporting News, 10/22/1942, p. 7
(138) Hartford Courant, 2/11/1943, p. 13
(139) New York Times, 11/24/1943, p. 24
(140) Sporting Life, 12/31/1892, p. 4
(141) Sporting Life, 3/9/1909, p. 1
(142) Sporting Life, 12/4/1909, p. 6
(143) Sporting Life, 1/25/1913, p. 6
(144) Hartford Courant, 12/5/1931, p. 5
(145) New York Times, 11/8/1932, p. 31
(146) Clearfield Progress, 12/11/1930, p. 7
(147) Sporting Life, 11/28/1891, p. 10
(148) Sporting Life, 12/27/1890, p. 3
(149) Sporting Life, 1/28/1893, p. 13
(150) Sporting Life, 1/28/1893, p. 3
(151) http://thisgameofgames.blogspot.com/search/label/Charles Fowle
(152) Sporting News, 1/21/1948, p. 3
(153) Sporting News, 2/2/1949, p. 5
(154) http://thisgameofgames.blogspot.com/search/label/Edward Becker
(155) New York Times, 2/7/1936, p.19
(156) Sporting Life, 2/10/1886, p. 3
(157) Sporting Life, 10/4/1890, p. 5
(158) Sporting Life, 5/14/1904, p. 4
(159) Sporting News, 1/7/1991, p. 64
(160) Sporting News, 11/11/1991, p. 36
(161) http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/silver-anniversary-shake-up-in-mets-ownership/
(162) New York Times, 1/15/1939, p. 7
(163) Washington Post, 1/4/1973, p. F1
(164) Washington Post, 4/19/1904, p. 8
(165) New York Times, 11/2/1916, p. 14
(166) Washington Post, 8/2/1923, p. 14
(167) Boston Sunday Globe, 2/26/1933, p. A1
(168) Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, January 10, 1979
(169) Chicago National League Ball Club Stock Certificate #3036
(170) Washington Post, 2/19/1901
(171) Warrington, Robert D., "Departure Without Dignity", Baseball Research Journal Vol 39, No. 2, page 100
(172) Allen, Lee, The Cincinnati Reds, 1948, G. P. Putnam's Sons, pp. 205-6
(173) Helander, Brock, "Prelude to the Formation of the American Association", The National Pastime, 2013
(174) Povich, Shirley, "This Morning", Washington Post, 7/19/1949, p. 15
(175) Povich, Shirley, "This Morning", Washington Post, 12/23/1949, p. B4
(176) Boston Globe, 12/31/1928, p. 5
(177) Spatz, Lyle, editor, The Team That Forever Changed Baseball and America, 2012, University of Nebraska and the Society for American Baseball Research
(178) Salsinger, H.G., "'Detroit Deserves the Best' His Policy as Tiger Owner", Sporting News, 1/23/1952, p. 11
(179) Sporting Life, 10/22/1892, p. 10
(180) Spoelstra, Warren, "Tigers Specify 'Fiery' Pilot, So Harris Resigns", Sporting News, 10/3/1956, p. 20
(181) Kinsley, Bob, "The Sports Log", Boston Globe, 9/24/1976, p. 33
(182) Sporting Life, 11/9/1907, p. 2
(183) Sporting Life, 3/16/1907, p. 5
