William Dole Eckert (January 20, 1909 - April 16, 1971) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force, and later the commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1968. When he became commissioner, Eckert had not seen a game in person in over 10 years. He was a compromise choice for the job, previously being so obscure that sportswriters nicknamed him "the Unknown Soldier." January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The U.S. Air Force redirects here, for the official song, see The U.S. Air Force (song) The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerospace branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... In 1920, the owners of Major League Baseball, in order to reestablish confidence of fans in the sport following the Black Sox Scandal, established the office of Commissioner of Baseball. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1965 throughout the world. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1968 throughout the world. ...

Just before becoming the commissioner, Eckert worked as a management consultant to the aviation industry. During this period, he served on the boards of directors of several corporations.

He incurred the public's ire by refusing to cancel games after the assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and team owners' disdain because he refused to deal forcefully with substantive business issues. Anticipating a players' strike and having no ownership confidence in his ability to handle the situation, Eckert was forced to resign at the end of the 1968 season although he still had three years on his contract. Robert Francis Bobby Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), also called RFK, was one of two younger brothers of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and served as United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... Strike action (or simply strike) describes collective action undertaken by groups of workers in the form of a refusal to perform work. ...

In spite of his much publicized failures and shortcomings, William Eckert also developed more effective committee actions, streamlined business methods and helped stabilize franchises with bigger stadiums and long-term leases. In addition, Eckert worked hard toward promoting the game internationally. It all paid off when in 1966, the Los Angeles Dodgers visited Japan. This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 20 - The Baseball Writers Association of America voters elect Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1,2,4,19,20,24,32,39,42,53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1911-1912), (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) (Also referred to as Trolley Dodgers 1911-1931) Brooklyn...

Trivia

• Eckert earned the nickname "Spike" while playing football for the United States Military Academy.

• In 1957, at the age of 48, Eckert was commissioned lieutenant general, making him the youngest three-star officer in the United States Armed Forces.

• Eckert only became a serious candidate for the commissionership after fellow officer Curtis LeMay gave Major League Baseball a recommendation for Eckert.

• Eckert still managed to receive salary after his days as the baseball commissioner were over.