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Induction
Information
Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1972,
Executive/PioneerBorn: October 16, 1883, in Chicago,
Illinois
Died: April 9, 1971, in Evanston, Illinois
Bio
Will Harridge earned his start in baseball in 1911 when American
League founder and President Ban Johnson hired the railway ticket
clerk to work for him. Johnson's personal secretary from 1911-?27,
he became American League secretary in 1927. Harridge became league
president in 1931 and held that post until his retirement in 1958.
He was a modest human being who successfully promoted the league
without personally seeking the spotlight.
Quote
"Harridge's greatest contribution to the changing baseball scene
during his 27-year term as president was the All-Star Game. He had
great pride in the American League. He wanted to win every All-Star
Game just as much as he did the World Series."
— Sporting News, 1971
Did You Know... that Will Harridge was instrumental in
convincing American League club owners to play an interleague
All-Star game, thus beginning the mid-summer tradition that started
in 1933? |