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Induction
Information
Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1937,
Executive/PioneerBorn: January 5, 1864, in Norwalk, Ohio
Died: March 28, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri
Bio
The founder of the American League, Ban Johnson was baseball's most
influential executive for nearly a quarter of a century. As
president of the Western League, he changed its name to the American
League in 1900 and claimed major league status the following year.
Despite opposition by National League owners, the new league quickly
proved its competitiveness on the field and at the gate. Johnson
became the most significant member of the National Commission,
baseball's ruling body until 1920.
Quote
"He was the most brilliant baseball man the game has ever known.
He was more responsible for making baseball the national game than
anyone in the history of the sport."
— Will Harridge
Did You Know... that Ban Johnson was a sportswriter in
Cincinnati before beginning his career as a baseball executive? |