Charlie Finley purchases the outstanding 48 percent of the Athletics stock to become their sole owner.
1961 – Charlie Finley purchases the outstanding 48 percent of the Athletics stock to become their sole owner.
The new Los Angeles American League franchise is awarded to Gene Autry
The new Los Angeles American League franchise is awarded to Gene Autry, a well-known cowboy movie star who once turned down an opportunity to play in the minor leagues, and former football player Bob Reynolds for $350,000. After spending its inaugural season at LA’s Wrigley Field and then playing the next three years at Dodger Stadium, the team will move to Anaheim, a short distance from L.A., and will be known as the California Angels (1965-1996), the Anaheim Angels (1997-2004) and then, to better market the team, will become known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005.
Hank Greenberg drops out of the bidding to run the new American League franchise in Los Angeles.
Hank Greenberg drops out of the bidding to run the new American League franchise in Los Angeles.
The new Washington Senators franchise is awarded to Elwood Quesada
Elvin Quesada, a native of the District of Columbia, is awarded the American League’s Washington expansion team, filling the void created due to the original American League franchise moving to Minnesota to play as the Twins next season. The new owner of the Senators is presently the head of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Chicago White Sox president Mrs. Dorothy Rigney agrees to sell the team to Bill Veeck
Chicago White Sox president Mrs. Dorothy Rigney agrees to sell the team to Bill Veeck for a reported $2.7 million. Chicago insurance broker Charles O. Finley allows that he can match the price. Charles Comiskey, Dorothy’s brother, will try to stop Veeck from buying the Sox, but will be unsuccessful.
Walter O’Malley clears the path for the Dodgers to move to the City of Angels
During the New York Baseball Writers Association meeting in New York, Walter O’Malley passes a note to Cubs owner Phil Wrigley, who controls the territorial rights to LA, offering Brooklyn’s Texas League team in Fort Worth in return for the Cubs’ Los Angeles PCL minor league franchise. The swap of farm teams will be announced on February 21, clearing the path for the Dodgers to move to the City of Angels.
commissioner Ford Frick rules that actor/singer Bing Crosby can own stock in both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers
Special Memory or Event? Want to have some fun? Advertise your business? Dedicate this page On January 10, 1957, commissioner Ford Frick allows actor/singer Bing Crosby, part of an eleven-man syndicate that made a successful bid to buy the Tigers, to keep his token stock in the Detroit club although he is part owner of…
Major league owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia A’s to a hometown syndicate
Major league owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia A’s to a hometown syndicate. A week later the Mack family sells a controlling interest to Arnold Johnson, who will move the team to Kansas City.
American League owners turn down a bid made by Bill Veeck to move the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore, MD.
1953 – American League owners turn down a bid made by Bill Veeck to move the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore, MD. Spearheaded by Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith, the vote is 6-2 against. Some observers speculate that the rejection is meant to force Veeck into selling his majority interest in the franchise. The next day, Veeck announces his willingness to sell the Browns for just under $2.5 million. The vote only delays the move by a year, however.
Boston Braves owner Lou Perini blocks an attempt by the St. Louis Browns to move their franchise to Milwaukee
On March 3, 1953, Boston Braves owner Lou Perini blocks an attempt by the St. Louis Browns to move their franchise to Milwaukee. Since Perini owns the Braves’ minor league affiliate in Milwaukee, he is allowed to invoke “territorial privilege” in preventing the Browns from relocating to Wisconsin. Stating he has not been offered enough…
