William Louis Veeck Jr. (February 9, 1914 – January 2, 1986), sometimes nicknamed "Sport Shirt", was a native of Chicago who became a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. Known best for his flamboyant publicity stunts, and the innovations he brought to the major leagues during his ownership of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago White Sox, Veeck was the last owner to purchase a baseball franchise without an independent fortune, and is responsible for many significant contributions to baseball. February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... January 2 is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1986 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Chicago, Illinois — officially the City of Chicago and colloquially known as Chicago, the Second City and the Windy City — is the third largest city of the United States after New York City and Los Angeles and is the largest inland city of the nation. ... MLB logo Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in professional baseball in the world. ... The Cleveland Indians are a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. ... The Baltimore Orioles are a Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ...

Early Life

While Veeck (pronounced "veck") was growing up in Hinsdale, Illinois, his father, William Veeck, Sr., a sportswriter, became president of the Chicago Cubs. Growing up in the business, Bill Veeck worked as a vendor, ticket seller and junior groundskeeper. In 1933, when his father died, Veeck left Kenyon College, and eventually became club treasurer for the Cubs. In 1937, Veeck planted the ivy that is on the outfield wall at Wrigley Field. He married Eleanor Raymond in 1935. Hinsdale is a village located in Cook County and DuPage County in the U.S. state of Illinois. ... Sportswriting is a form of journalism who writes and reports on sports topics and events. ... The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... 1933 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college founded in Gambier, Ohio in 1824, by Episcopal Bishop Philander Chase. ... Wrigley Field is a sports stadium in Chicago, Illinois which was built in 1914 for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales and which became the home of the Chicago Cubs in 1916. ... 1935 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Milwaukee Brewers

In 1941 he left Chicago and purchased the American Association Milwaukee Brewers, in a partnership with former Cubs star and manager Charlie Grimm. Veeck, constantly producing new promotional gimmicks, gave away live animals, scheduled morning games for night shift workers, staged weddings at home plate, and even sent Grimm a birthday cake containing a left-handed pitcher. After winning three pennants in five years, Veeck sold his Milwaukee franchise in 1945 for a $275,000 profit. See also: 1940 in sports, 1942 in sports and the list of years in sports. Many sporting events did not take place because of World War II. Baseball The New York Yankees won the World Series, beating the Brooklyn Dodgers by 4 games to 1. ... The American Association was a minor baseball league at the Class AAA (Triple-A) level of baseball in the United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. ... Charlie Grimm (August 28, 1898 - November 15, 1983), was a popular major league baseball first baseman and manager, sometime radio broadcaster, and generally a goodwill ambassador for baseball. ... Night shift refers either to a group of workers who work during the night, or the period in which they work. ... Nubian wedding with some international modern touches, near Aswan, Egypt A wedding is a civil or religious ceremony at which the beginning of a marriage is celebrated. ... Birthday Cake A birthday cake with writing on it A birthday cake in Western culture is a pastry or dessert served to a person on his or her birthday, usually decorated with the persons name and/or a message of congratulations. ... See also: 1944 in sports, 1946 in sports and the list of years in sports. Many sporting events did not take place because of World War II. Baseball January 28: Hall of Fame election: Baseball writers fail to elect a new inductee. ...

While a half-owner of the Brewers, Veeck served for nearly three years in the Marines during World War II in an artillery unit. Injuries he suffered after a recoiling artillery piece crushed his leg eventually led to the amputation of his foot, and later, the rest of his leg. United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: Immense human sacrifice, fierce indoctrinations, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons - the atom bomb being the ultimate. ... Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. ...

According to Veeck's memoirs, in 1942, before entering the military, he acquired backing to purchase the Philadelphia Phillies, planning to stock the club with stars from the Negro Leagues. He revealed his plans to Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who "vetoed" the idea by arranging for another owner to buy the team. Although this story has long been part of accepted baseball lore, in recent years, its accuracy has been challenged by researchers. This article is about the year. ... The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Part of the History of baseball series. ... Kenesaw Mountain Landis Kenesaw Mountain Landis (20 November 1866 – 25 November 1944) was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922, and subsequently as the first commissioner of Major League Baseball. ...

Cleveland Indians

In 1946, Veeck finally became the owner of a major league team, the Cleveland Indians, using a debenture-common stock group making remuneration to his partners non-taxable loan payments instead of taxable income. In 1947, he signed Larry Doby as the first African-American player in the American League, and in 1948 he signed Satchel Paige, the oldest rookie in major league history; there was much speculation at the time about Paige's true age, with estimates from just under 40 to nearly 50. 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Lawrence Eugene Larry Doby (December 13, 1923 - June 18, 2003), was an American professional baseball player. ... African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans, Black Americans, or simply blacks, are an ethnic group in the United States of America whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to West and sub-Saharan Africa. ... The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ... 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Leroy Robert Satchel Paige (July 7, 1906 - June 8, 1982) was an American right-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball who is considered to be among the greatest pitchers of all time. ...

Although he had become extremely popular, an attempt to trade Lou Boudreau to the Browns led to mass protests and petitions supporting Boudreau. Veeck, in response, visited every bar in Cleveland apologizing for his mistake, and reassuring fans that the trade would not occur. By 1948, Cleveland won its first pennant and World Series since 1920. Famously, Veeck buried the 1948 flag, once it became obvious the team could not repeat its championship in 1949. That year, Veeck sold his shares in Cleveland in order to finalize an expensive divorce with his first wife. Louis Boudreau (July 17, 1917 - August 10, 2001) was a Major League Baseball player and the American League MVP Award winner in 1948. ... City nickname: The Forest City Location in Cuyahoga County, Ohio County Cuyahoga Mayor Jane Campbell Area   â€“Land   â€“Water 213. ... See also: 1947 in sports, 1949 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball January 29: Commissioner Happy Chandler fines the Yankees, Cubs, and Phillies $500 each for signing high school players. ... In baseball, the World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball in North America, played in October after the end of the regular season between the pennant winner of the American League and the pennant winner of the National League. ... See also: 1919 in sports, 1921 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball January 3 - Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sells Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 and a $350,000 loan, beginning The curse of the Bambino. This was the prelude... See also: 1948 in sports, 1950 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto racing The first 24 hours of Le Mans is held since the beginning of World War II. Luigi Chinetti and Lord Seldson win the race in a Ferrari 166M. Baseball January 28: The New...

St. Louis Browns

After marrying Mary Frances Ackerman, Veeck returned as the owner of the St. Louis Browns in 1951. Hoping to force the St. Louis Cardinals out of town, Veeck spited Cardinals owner Fred Saigh, hiring Cardinal greats Rogers Hornsby and Marty Marion as managers, and Dizzy Dean as an announcer; and he decorated their shared home park, Sportsman's Park, exclusively with Browns memorabilia. See also: 1950 in sports, other events of 1951, 1952 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing NASCAR Championship - Herb Thomas AAA Racing: Tony Bettenhausen won the series championship Lee Wallard won the Indianapolis 500 Formula One Championship - Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina 24 hours of... The St. ... Rogers Hornsby (April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas - January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois), nicknamed The Rajah, was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career in St. ... Martin Whiteford Marion (born December 1, 1917 in Richburg, South Carolina) is a former shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball. ... Jay Hanna Dizzy Dean (January 16, 1910 - July 17, 1974) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Sportsmans Park was the name of a former Major League Baseball park in St. ...

Some of Veeck's most memorable publicity stunts occurred during his tenure with the Browns, including the famous appearance by midget Eddie Gaedel for which Veeck predicted he'd be most remembered; and shortly afterward, Grandstand Manager's Day - involving Veeck, Connie Mack, Bob Fishel, and thousands of regular fans, directing the entirety of the game via placards: the Browns won, 5-3, snapping a four-game losing streak. Edward Carl Eddie Gaedel (June 8, 1925 - June 18, 1961), born in Chicago, Illinois, was an American midget who was noted for participating in a Major League Baseball game. ... Connie Mack baseball card, 1910 Cornelius Alexander Mack (December 22, 1862 - February 8, 1956), born Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy, was an American professional baseball player, manager and team owner. ...

After the 1952 season, Veeck suggested that the American League clubs share radio and television revenue with visiting clubs. Outvoted, he refused to allow the Browns' opponents to broadcast games played against his team on the road. The league responded by eliminating Friday night games in St. Louis. When Saigh sold the Cardinals to Anheuser-Busch, Veeck realized he would never have the resources to compete, and was forced to sell the Browns, which then moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles. See also: 1951 in sports, 1953 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing NASCAR Championship - Tim Flock AAA Racing: Troy Ruttman won the Indianapolis 500 Chuck Stevenson won the season championship Formula One Championship - Italy 24 hours of Le Mans: Hermann Lang / Fritz Reiss won, driving... The Gateway Arch, shown here behind the Old Courthouse, is the most recognizable part of the St. ... Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), the worlds third largest brewing company in volume after InBev and SABMiller, is based in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. The company brews 35 different beers and malt liquors. ... Motto: BELIEVE (formerly The City That Reads) Nickname: Charm City Location in Maryland Founded  -Incorporated  30 July 1729  1797 County  Independent city Mayor  Martin J. OMalley (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water  349. ... The Baltimore Orioles are a Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. ...

Chicago White Sox

In 1959, Veeck became head of a group that purchased a controlling interest in the Chicago White Sox, who went on to win their first pennant in 40 years, and broke a team attendance record for home games with 1.4 million, and in the next year broke the same record with 1.6 million visitors to Comiskey Park with the addition of the first "exploding scoreboard" in the major leagues - producing electrical and sound effects, and shooting fireworks whenever the White Sox hit a home run. In 1961, due to poor health, Veeck sold his share of the team, only to return in 1975 as the full owner. See also: 1958 in sports, 1960 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship — Lee Petty Indianapolis 500 — Rodger Ward USAC Racing — Rodger Ward Formula One Champion — Australia 24 hours of Le Mans: Carroll Shelby... Comiskey Park (35th Street & Shields Avenue, Chicago, Illinois) was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. ... English Noun scoreboard /skawrbawrd/ a large board for publicly displaying the score in a game or match. ... Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of movies, video games, music, or other media. ... The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House illuminated under New Years Eve Fireworks 2005 A fireworks event (fireworks display, fireworks show) is a spectacular display of the effects produced by firework devices on various occasions. ... For other uses of the phrase see Home run (disambiguation) In baseball, a home run is a base hit in which the batter is able to circle all the bases, ending at home plate and scoring a run himself (along with a run for each runner who was already on... See also: 1960 in sports, other events of 1961, 1962 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Marvin Panch won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship - Ned Jarrett Indianapolis 500 - A.J. Foyt USAC Racing - A.J. Foyt won the driving championship Formula One... See also: 1974 in sports, 1976 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Benny Parsons won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship - Richard Petty Indianapolis 500 - Bobby Unser USAC Racing - A.J. Foyt won the season championship Formula One Championship - Austria 24 hours of...

Almost immediately after taking control of the Sox for a second time, Veeck unleashed another publicity stunt designed to irritate his fellow owners. He and general manager Roland Hemond conducted four trades in a hotel lobby, in full view of the public. Two weeks later, however, Peter Seitz ruled in favor of free agency, and Veeck's power as an owner began to wane in opposition to richer owners. Likely his most famous stunt with the White Sox, Veeck presented a Bicentennial-themed Spirit of '76 parade on opening day in 1976, casting himself as the peg-legged fifer bringing up the rear. The same year, he reactivated Minnie Miñoso for eight at-bats, in order to give Miñoso a claim towards playing in four decades; and he did so again in 1980, to expand the claim to five. In an attempt to adapt to free agency, his rent-a-player model, centering on the acquisition of other clubs' stars in their option years, was moderately successful: in 1977, the White Sox won 90 games, and finished third behind Oscar Gamble and Richie Zisk. During this last run, Veeck decided to have announcer Harry Caray sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch. Finding himself no longer able to financially compete in the free agent era, Veeck sold the White Sox in January 1981. He retired to his home in St. Michaels, Maryland, where he had discovered White Sox star Harold Baines while Baines was in high school there. Brent Butt on a gas station sign A publicity stunt is a planned event designed to attract the publics attention to the promoters or their causes. ... Free agency can be: In Latter-day Saint theology, free agency is the name of the human capacity to make choices for themselves and to choose between right and wrong. ... An anniversary is a day that commemorates an event that occurred on the same day of the year some time in the past. ... See also: 1975 in sports, 1977 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing Stock car racing: David Pearson won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship - Cale Yarborough Indianapolis 500 - Johnny Rutherford USAC Racing - Gordon Johncock won the season championship Formula One Championship: James Hunt of Britain Niki... Minnie Miñoso [me-NYO-so] (b. ... See also: 1979 in sports, 1981 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing Stock car racing: NASCAR Championship - Dale Earnhardt Buddy Baker won the Daytona 500 CART Racing - Johnny Rutherford won the season championship Indianapolis 500 - Johnny Rutherford Formula One Champion - Alan Jones of Australia 24... See also: 1976 in sports, 1978 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto racing Stock car racing: NASCAR Championship - Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough won the Daytona 500 USAC Racing - Tom Sneva wins the season championship Indianapolis 500 - won by A.J. Foyt. ... Richard Walter Zisk (born February 6, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York) was a Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners from 1971 to 1983. ... Harry Caray (March 1, 1914 — February 18, 1998), born Harry Christopher Carabina in St. ... Take Me Out to the Ball Game is an early-20th century Tin Pan Alley song which became the unofficial anthem of baseball. ... See also: 1980 in sports, 1982 in sports and the list of years in sports. Auto Racing Stock car racing: NASCAR Championship - Darrell Waltrip Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 CART Racing - Rick Mears won the season championship Indianapolis 500 - Bobby Unser Formula One Champion - Brazil 24 hours of Le... St. ... Harold Douglass Baines (born March 15, 1959 in Easton, Maryland) is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played in the American League from 1980 to 2001, and is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox. ...

Veeck died of cancer at age 71, and was elected five years later to the Baseball Hall of Fame. When normal cells are damaged or old they undergo apoptosis; cancer cells, however, avoid apoptosis. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, United States, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests that serves as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in North America, the display of baseball-related...

Books by Veeck

Veeck wrote three autobiographical works, each a collaboration with journalist Ed Linn

• Veeck As In Wreck - a straightforward autobiography
• The Hustler's Handbook - divulging his experience in operating as an outsider in major leagues
• Thirty Tons A Day - chronicling the time he spent running Suffolk Downs racetrack. The title refers to the quantity of horse excrement that had to be disposed of.

Starting Gate at Suffolk Downs. ...

External link

• Baseball Hall of Fame biography