Bill DeWitt
Encyclopedia
William Orville DeWitt Sr. (August 3, 1902 — March 4, 1982) was a longtime executive in Major League Baseball
whose career spanned more than 50 years in the game. His son William DeWitt, Jr.
is currently the principal owner and managing partner of the St. Louis Cardinals
, while grandson William O. DeWitt III is the president of the Cardinals.
The senior DeWitt began his baseball career with the Cardinals as a protégé of Branch Rickey
, legendary business manager (later general manager) of the Redbirds from 1916-1942. DeWitt's first job, in 1916
, was selling soda pop at the Cardinals' park; as a young man, he received a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis
and became treasurer of the Redbirds. But DeWitt ultimately took a front-office job with the city’s underdog American League
team, the St. Louis Browns
, where he rose to general manager
, minority owner (initially in partnership with Donald Lee Barnes
) and, finally, majority owner.
, under his leadership as general manager, the Browns won their only American League pennant — losing to the Cardinals in the all-St. Louis 1944 World Series
. The Browns' 1944 achievement is often downplayed by observers because it occurred during the height of the World War II
manpower shortage, when most of the top American League players were in military service. Nevertheless, DeWitt's wartime Browns were one of the more successful teams in the AL, also posting winning campaigns in 1942
and 1945
. During the latter year, they employed Pete Gray
, an outfielder
who, despite having only one arm, had become a capable minor league
player. However, in 1946
, the first postwar campaign, the Browns fell back into the second division and never enjoyed another winning campaign in St. Louis.
DeWitt and his brother Charlie (1901–1967), the Browns' traveling secretary, bought control of the club from majority owner Richard C. Muckerman
in 1948
, but the team’s struggles on the field and at the box office continued, and the DeWitts sold the Browns to Bill Veeck
in 1951
. Bill DeWitt remained in the Browns' front office until Veeck was forced to sell the club; it then moved from St. Louis to become the Baltimore Orioles in 1954
.
from 1954–58 and as president and general manager of the Detroit Tigers
in 1959–60. As Tigers' GM, DeWitt participated in three significant trades with swap-happy Cleveland Indians
GM Frank Lane
during the 1960 season
.
as GM of the Cincinnati Reds
. He made a number of deals for players such as Joey Jay
(a disappointment with the Milwaukee Braves
who became a 20-game winner in Cincinnati), Don Blasingame
and Gene Freese
, and the Reds went on to win the 1961
National League
pennant. A few months later, DeWitt again became an owner when he purchased 100 percent of the Reds from the Powel Crosley estate.
He led the team for another five seasons. The Reds contended for most of that time, and enjoyed a productive farm system, but after the 1965
campaign, DeWitt controversially (and disastrously) traded future Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson
to the Orioles for two pitchers and a minor league outfielder; the outrage over the trade made it difficult for one of the pitchers, former Oriole ace Milt Pappas
, to adjust to pitching in Cincinnati. (The trade has been made famous in the 1988
movie Bull Durham
, where Susan Sarandon
's character says, "Bad trades are a part of baseball; I mean who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for God's sake?") After announcing the trade, DeWitt famously defended the trade by calling Robinson "an old 30." In his first season with the Orioles, Robinson won the Triple Crown and was unanimously voted the American League
Most Valuable Player
.
The Robinson deal somewhat clouded DeWitt's Cincinnati legacy, although many of the players he had signed or developed became key members of the team's "Big Red Machine
" dynasty of the 1970s. He sold the Reds to a syndicate led by Cincinnati newspaper publisher Francis L. Dale
(and including William DeWitt Jr.) during the 1966
campaign. DeWitt's last official post in baseball was as chairman of the Chicago White Sox
from 1975 to 1981, working with the flamboyant Veeck once again.
He died in Cincinnati, Ohio
, of undisclosed causes on March 4, 1982 at age 79.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
whose career spanned more than 50 years in the game. His son William DeWitt, Jr.
William DeWitt, Jr.
William O. DeWitt, Jr. is an American businessman and currently the managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals. He served on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board during the George W...
is currently the principal owner and managing partner of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, while grandson William O. DeWitt III is the president of the Cardinals.
The senior DeWitt began his baseball career with the Cardinals as a protégé of Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
, legendary business manager (later general manager) of the Redbirds from 1916-1942. DeWitt's first job, in 1916
1916 in baseball
left|thumb|300px|[[Woodrow Wilson]] throws out the ball on opening day.-Champions:*World Series: Boston Red Sox over Brooklyn Robins -MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Events:...
, was selling soda pop at the Cardinals' park; as a young man, he received a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
and became treasurer of the Redbirds. But DeWitt ultimately took a front-office job with the city’s underdog American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
team, the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, where he rose to general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
, minority owner (initially in partnership with Donald Lee Barnes
Donald Lee Barnes
Donald Lee Barnes was the owner of the St. Louis Browns of the American League from through . when The team was sold to Richard Muckerman in 1945....
) and, finally, majority owner.
Pennant-winning GM, later owner of the St. Louis Browns
In 19441944 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over St. Louis Browns , in the "Streetcar Series"*All-Star Game, July 11 at Forbes Field: National League, 7-1-Other champions:...
, under his leadership as general manager, the Browns won their only American League pennant — losing to the Cardinals in the all-St. Louis 1944 World Series
1944 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
. The Browns' 1944 achievement is often downplayed by observers because it occurred during the height of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
manpower shortage, when most of the top American League players were in military service. Nevertheless, DeWitt's wartime Browns were one of the more successful teams in the AL, also posting winning campaigns in 1942
1942 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees *All-Star Game, July 6 at Polo Grounds: American League, 3-1-Other champions:*Negro Leagues World Series: Kansas City Monarchs over Homestead Grays...
and 1945
1945 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Detroit Tigers over Chicago Cubs *All-Star Game cancelled due to flight restrictions. However, inter-league games were played during the All-Star break.-Other champions:...
. During the latter year, they employed Pete Gray
Pete Gray
Pete Gray was a professional baseball player best known for playing in the major leagues despite having lost his right arm in a childhood accident.-Early life:...
, an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who, despite having only one arm, had become a capable minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
player. However, in 1946
1946 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox *All-Star Game, July 9 at Fenway Park: American League, 12–0-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Newark Eagles over Kansas City Monarchs...
, the first postwar campaign, the Browns fell back into the second division and never enjoyed another winning campaign in St. Louis.
DeWitt and his brother Charlie (1901–1967), the Browns' traveling secretary, bought control of the club from majority owner Richard C. Muckerman
Richard Muckerman
Richard Muckerman in St. Louis, Missouri and was a 1912 graduate from Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois. He was the owner of the St. Louis Browns of the American League from through . He sold the Browns to Bill DeWitt after the 1948 season. Muckerman died of a heart attack in...
in 1948
1948 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cleveland Indians over Boston Braves *All-Star Game, July 13 at Sportsman's Park: American League, 5-2-Other champions:*College World Series: USC*Little League World Series: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania...
, but the team’s struggles on the field and at the box office continued, and the DeWitts sold the Browns to Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
in 1951
1951 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games tiebreaker series over the Brooklyn Dodgers.-Major League Baseball:...
. Bill DeWitt remained in the Browns' front office until Veeck was forced to sell the club; it then moved from St. Louis to become the Baltimore Orioles in 1954
1954 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* World Series: New York Giants over Cleveland Indians * All-Star Game, July 13 at Municipal Stadium: American League, 11-9-Other champions:* Caribbean World Series: Caguas Creoles [Criollos de Caguas]...
.
Making an impact in Detroit
DeWitt then served as assistant general manager of the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
from 1954–58 and as president and general manager of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in 1959–60. As Tigers' GM, DeWitt participated in three significant trades with swap-happy Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
GM Frank Lane
Frank Lane
Frank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
during the 1960 season
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
.
- On April 12, he swung one of the most successful deals in Tiger history, obtaining future star first basemanFirst basemanFirst base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Norm CashNorm CashNorman Dalton Cash was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent almost his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
for little-used infielderInfielderAn infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Steve DemeterSteve DemeterStephen Demeter is a former United States Major League Baseball third baseman who played for two seasons. He played for the Detroit Tigers in 1959 and the Cleveland Indians in 1960 and was a fixture of the Rochester Red Wings teams of the mid-1960s, hitting 272 minor league home runs.-External...
. Cash would win the 1961 AL batting title and play 15 years in Detroit.
- Then, five days later on April 17, DeWitt traded reigning1959 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
AL batting champion Harvey KuennHarvey KuennHarvey Edward Kuenn was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a shortstop and outfielder, he played with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted and threw right-handed...
(who hit .353 in 1959) to the Indians for '59 AL home run king (with 42 homers) Rocky ColavitoRocky ColavitoRocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
. Colavito played four seasons in Detroit, and continued to hit home runs, smashing 139 round-trippers (an average of almost 35 home runs per season). Kuenn, meanwhile, spent only one year in Cleveland and never again hit above .308.
- Finally, on August 3, DeWitt and Lane completed the only trade of managersManager (baseball)In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in MLB annals, when the Tigers' Jimmy DykesJimmy DykesJames Joseph Dykes was an American third and second baseman, manager and coach in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox from 1918 to 1939...
was dealt for Cleveland's Joe Gordon. But Gordon only lasted the final weeks of the 1960 campaign, going 26-31 with the Tigers before his resignation.
Another pennant, then ownership of the Reds
DeWitt, however, moved on himself shortly after the end of the 1960 season, replacing Gabe PaulGabe Paul
Gabriel Howard Paul was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as general manager of three teams and, perhaps most famously, as president of the New York Yankees under George Steinbrenner during the 1970s....
as GM of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He made a number of deals for players such as Joey Jay
Joey Jay
Joseph Richard Jay is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1953 through 1966, Jay played for the Milwaukee Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves...
(a disappointment with the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
who became a 20-game winner in Cincinnati), Don Blasingame
Don Blasingame
Don Lee Blasingame was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , San Francisco Giants , Cincinnati Reds , Washington Senators and Kansas City Athletics . Blasingame batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
and Gene Freese
Gene Freese
Eugene Lewis Freese is a former third baseman in American Major League Baseball for 12 seasons . A journeyman, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros, batting .254 with 115 home runs in 1,115 games...
, and the Reds went on to win the 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant. A few months later, DeWitt again became an owner when he purchased 100 percent of the Reds from the Powel Crosley estate.
He led the team for another five seasons. The Reds contended for most of that time, and enjoyed a productive farm system, but after the 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
campaign, DeWitt controversially (and disastrously) traded future Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
to the Orioles for two pitchers and a minor league outfielder; the outrage over the trade made it difficult for one of the pitchers, former Oriole ace Milt Pappas
Milt Pappas
Milton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
, to adjust to pitching in Cincinnati. (The trade has been made famous in the 1988
1988 in film
-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
movie Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
, where Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon is an American actress. She has worked in films and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her...
's character says, "Bad trades are a part of baseball; I mean who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for God's sake?") After announcing the trade, DeWitt famously defended the trade by calling Robinson "an old 30." In his first season with the Orioles, Robinson won the Triple Crown and was unanimously voted the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
The Robinson deal somewhat clouded DeWitt's Cincinnati legacy, although many of the players he had signed or developed became key members of the team's "Big Red Machine
The Big Red Machine
The Big Red Machine is the nickname given to the Cincinnati Reds baseball team which dominated the National League from 1970 to 1976, recognized as among the best in baseball. Over that span, the team won five National League Western Division titles, four National League pennants, and two World...
" dynasty of the 1970s. He sold the Reds to a syndicate led by Cincinnati newspaper publisher Francis L. Dale
Francis L. Dale
Francis Lykins Dale was an American businessman and Republican political operative.- Early life :Dale graduated from Duke University and obtained a law degree from the University of Virginia...
(and including William DeWitt Jr.) during the 1966
1966 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Frank Robinson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 12 at Busch Stadium: National League, 2–1 ; Brooks Robinson, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Ohio State...
campaign. DeWitt's last official post in baseball was as chairman of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from 1975 to 1981, working with the flamboyant Veeck once again.
He died in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, of undisclosed causes on March 4, 1982 at age 79.