George Weiss (baseball)
Encyclopedia
George Martin Weiss was an American
baseball
executive. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Weiss was one of Major League Baseball
's most successful farm system directors and general managers
. Working as the director of the New York Yankees
' farm system from 1932 to 1947, he established it as one of the two best in the game, helping the Bombers win nine American League
pennant
s and eight World Series
championships. Then, during Weiss' tenure as the Yankees' general manager from to , the team won 10 AL pennants and seven more World Series titles.
Weiss later became the first club president and general manager of the New York Mets
from to after that expansion franchise was formed.
, and attended Yale University
. In 1915, he got his start in baseball when at age 20 he founded the New Haven MaxFeds in the independent Colonial League, an "outlaw" minor league
associated with the Federal League
. In , Weiss borrowed $5,000 to acquire the New Haven franchise in the established Class A Eastern League
, which was immediately nicknamed the Weissmen by local baseball writers. He operated the New Haven club, eventually nicknamed the Profs in homage to Yale, for a decade. Then, in 1930, Weiss took over the Baltimore Orioles
of the Class AA International League
for two seasons.
by the St. Louis Cardinals
and was the linchpin of the Cardinals' dominance of the Senior Circuit. Weiss grew the Yankee system from four farm teams in 1931 to 16 by and 20 by 1947. The Yankee farm system churned out many of the players who would lead the Bronx Bombers to their four consecutive (1936–39) World Series titles in the 1930s, their five straight titles (1949–53), and their six other championship clubs sprinkled throughout the rest of the 1940s and 1950s.
In October 1947, just after the 1947 World Series
championship, Weiss was promoted to general manager of the Yankees, after the team's newly reconstituted ownership tandem of Dan Topping
and Del Webb
bought out original partner Larry MacPhail
, who had also been general manager. Weiss led the Yankees to 10 AL pennants and seven world titles in 13 seasons. But after the Yanks were defeated in the 1960 World Series
, Weiss and his longtime manager, Casey Stengel
, were forced to retire.
A few years after their defeat in the 1960 World Series, the Yankees went into a very sudden decline. One reason was probably their reluctance to sign Black and Latin ballplayers. It is now widely accepted that George Weiss was a bigot. When Jackie Robinson
broke the color barrier in 1947, a wide array of talented Negro League players (such as Willie Mays
and Hank Aaron) became available. It has been widely speculated that these players were ignored purposely because of Weiss' racial attitude. The Yankees brought their first black ballplayer, catcher Elston Howard
, up to the majors in 1955, eight years after Jackie Robinson began the integration of big league baseball with the Dodgers in 1947.
In Weiss' five seasons as Met general manager, the team escaped the NL basement only in Weiss' last year. He was succeeded by former Cardinal GM Bing Devine
. He was named The Sporting News
Executive of the Year
in 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1960. He was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame
in 1982.
Weiss died in Greenwich, Connecticut
, at age 78 in 1972.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
executive. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Weiss was one of Major League Baseball
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...
's most successful farm system directors and general managers
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....
. Working as the director of the New York Yankees
New 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...
' farm system from 1932 to 1947, he established it as one of the two best in the game, helping the Bombers win nine 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...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
s and eight World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships. Then, during Weiss' tenure as the Yankees' general manager from to , the team won 10 AL pennants and seven more World Series titles.
Weiss later became the first club president and general manager of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
from to after that expansion franchise was formed.
Early Life and career
George Weiss was born in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, and attended Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. In 1915, he got his start in baseball when at age 20 he founded the New Haven MaxFeds in the independent Colonial League, an "outlaw" 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...
associated with the Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
. In , Weiss borrowed $5,000 to acquire the New Haven franchise in the established Class A Eastern League
Eastern League (baseball, 1916-32)
The Eastern League of 1916 through the mid-season of 1932 was an American minor baseball league and the third of four circuits to use the Eastern League name since the 19th century...
, which was immediately nicknamed the Weissmen by local baseball writers. He operated the New Haven club, eventually nicknamed the Profs in homage to Yale, for a decade. Then, in 1930, Weiss took over the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
of the Class AA International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
for two seasons.
New York Yankees and the farm system
In , at 37, he was hired by the Yankees to create a farm system, which had been pioneered in the National LeagueNational 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...
by 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...
and was the linchpin of the Cardinals' dominance of the Senior Circuit. Weiss grew the Yankee system from four farm teams in 1931 to 16 by and 20 by 1947. The Yankee farm system churned out many of the players who would lead the Bronx Bombers to their four consecutive (1936–39) World Series titles in the 1930s, their five straight titles (1949–53), and their six other championship clubs sprinkled throughout the rest of the 1940s and 1950s.
In October 1947, just after the 1947 World Series
1947 World Series
The 1947 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning the Series in seven games for their first title since , and the eleventh championship in team history...
championship, Weiss was promoted to general manager of the Yankees, after the team's newly reconstituted ownership tandem of Dan Topping
Dan Topping
Daniel Reid Topping was a part owner and president of the New York Yankees baseball team from 1945 to 1964. Daniel Reid Topping was the son of Rhea Reid and Henry J. Topping. Rhea Reid, the daughter of Daniel G. Reid, known as the "Tinplate King" for his vast wealth in the tin industry, was the...
and Del Webb
Del Webb
Delbert Eugene Webb was an American construction magnate, real estate developer and sports-team owner, who is most significant for founding and developing the retirement community of Sun City, Arizona.-Early life:...
bought out original partner Larry MacPhail
Larry MacPhail
Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail, Sr. was an American lawyer, and an executive and innovator in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
, who had also been general manager. Weiss led the Yankees to 10 AL pennants and seven world titles in 13 seasons. But after the Yanks were defeated in the 1960 World Series
1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League from October 5 to October 13, 1960...
, Weiss and his longtime manager, Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
, were forced to retire.
A few years after their defeat in the 1960 World Series, the Yankees went into a very sudden decline. One reason was probably their reluctance to sign Black and Latin ballplayers. It is now widely accepted that George Weiss was a bigot. When Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
broke the color barrier in 1947, a wide array of talented Negro League players (such as Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
and Hank Aaron) became available. It has been widely speculated that these players were ignored purposely because of Weiss' racial attitude. The Yankees brought their first black ballplayer, catcher Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
, up to the majors in 1955, eight years after Jackie Robinson began the integration of big league baseball with the Dodgers in 1947.
New York Mets
Weiss and Stengel would both return with the New York Mets. Weiss was named president and de facto general manager of the Mets in May 1961, and Stengel followed as skipper in .In Weiss' five seasons as Met general manager, the team escaped the NL basement only in Weiss' last year. He was succeeded by former Cardinal GM Bing Devine
Bing Devine
Vaughan Pallmore "Bing" Devine was an American front office executive in Major League Baseball. In the prime of his career, as a general manager, the executive who is responsible for all baseball operations, Devine was a major architect of four National League champions and three World Series...
. He was named The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
Executive of the Year
The Sporting News Executive of the Year Award
The Sporting News Executive of the Year Award was established in 1936 by The Sporting News and is given annually to one executive — including general managers — in Major League Baseball....
in 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1960. He was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame
New York Mets Hall of Fame
The New York Mets Hall of Fame was created in 1981 to recognize the careers of former New York Mets players, managers, broadcasters and executives. There are presently 25 members...
in 1982.
Weiss died in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
, at age 78 in 1972.