Former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn Dies

[Laura]

The Associated Press[/url]"] Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who lorded over baseball during 15 tumultuous years that saw players gain free agency and start the spiral of multimillion-dollar salaries, died Thursday. He was 80.

 

Kuhn died at St. Luke's Hospital following a short illness, said his spokesman Bob Wirz, who led baseball's information office while Kuhn was commissioner.

 

When Kuhn took over as commissioner from William Eckert on Feb. 4, 1969, baseball had just completed its final season as a tradition-bound 20-team sport with no playoffs, a reserve clause and an average salary of about $19,000.

[goonys evil twin]

I didn't know he was alive.

[cbbryan]

I didn't know he was alive.

 

 

I know of him, but can't say that I remember him when he was actually in office as commish. He's a bit before my time of paying attention to front office staff, GMs, etc. Back in the days when I thought every manager knew what he was doing! LOL!

[NCCubFan]

He was Commissioner when I first started following baseball (1969). What I remember him for most is voiding a couple of A's deals when Charlie Finley was trying to dismantle the team after winning three World Series in a row. That's the first time I'd seen the "best interests of baseball" concept used.