Bowie Kuhn is named commissioner of Baseball

Bowie Kuhn

On February 4, 1969, 42-year-old Bowie Kuhn is named commissioner, succeeding Spike Eckert. Kuhn receives a one-year contract paying him $100,000. Major league owners turned to Kuhn after failing to agree on either of two other candidates, Mike Burke of the New York Yankees and Charles Feeney of the San Francisco Giants. The early favorite, John McHale, took his name out of the running early, as he had accepted the job of President of the expansion Montreal Expos a short time before Eckert was ousted.

Bowie Kuhn is the 5th Commissioner in MLB history. He serves in that role for 16 seasons (1969-1984). Kuhn will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

The 42 year-old former National League attorney, a future Hall of Famer for the role he will play during a turbulent time in the game, replaces William Eckert, who was forced to resign after serving only three years of his seven-year term.

 

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