The Tigers and Briggs Stadium are sold to a syndicate of 11, led by radio executives John Fetzer and Fred Knorr, for a record $5.5 million from Walter Briggs, Jr., after he was ordered by family estate administrators to sell the ownership inherited from his father. The deal includes an agreement to retain Briggs, who will also become the team’s general manager, as executive vice president, but the former owner, who wanted keep the team and ballpark, will resign from both posts at the start of next season.

On July 16, 1956 — The Tigers and Briggs Stadium are sold to a syndicate of 11, led by radio executives John Fetzer and Fred Knorr, for a record $5.5 million from Walter Briggs, Jr., after he was ordered by family estate administrators to sell the ownership inherited from his father. The deal includes an agreement to retain Briggs, who will also become the team’s general manager, as executive vice president, but the former owner, who wanted keep the team and ballpark, will resign from both posts at the start of next season.

Sources:
National Pastime January 28

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