Born: November 20, 1866, in Millville, Ohio
Died: November 25, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois

Bio
Baseball's first commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis was elected to office on November 12, 1920, and helped restore public confidence in baseball following the "Black Sox" scandal of 1919. The former U.S. district judge banned eight White Sox players for life, despite their acquittal in a court of law. Landis subsequently issued other edicts utilizing the "absolute power" granted him by the owners to ensure the game's integrity, including allowing hundreds of minor leaguers contractual freedom.

Quote
"Landis had remarkable charisma; he stood out in any gathering he attended. Along with all the virtues of an honest federal judge, he had many of the foibles of the ordinary man. He was extraordinarily patriotic, and had loved baseball since he was a small boy."
   — Fred Lieb, The Sporting News

Did You Know... that since 1944, the official title of each league's Most Valuable Player Award has been the "Kenesaw Mountain Landis Award?"