Sam Breadon

Sam Breadon autograph
Birthdate 07/26/1876
Death Date 05/08/1948
Debut Year 1917
Year of Induction
Teams Cardinals
Position Owner

Some feel that the omission of Sam Breadon from the Hall is a glaring injustice. His teams won 9 National League pennants & 6 World Series titles.

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The Cardinals won nine pennants and six World Series titles while Sam Breadon was owner

The Cardinals won nine pennants and six World Series titles while Sam Breadon was owner

As measured in wins and World Series titles, Sam Breadon is one of the most successful team owners in the history of baseball. Before Breadon arrived, the St. Louis Cardinals hadn’t finished above third place in more than a quarter century. After purchasing controlling
Sam Breadon played hardball with a young Stan Musial during contract negotiations

Sam Breadon played hardball with a young Stan Musial during contract negotiations

Stan Musial felt the salary offer was not enough and sent the contract back unsigned. A clearly miffed Breadon scolds Musial in this correspondence. “We have had great outfielders on our ball club, including Hafey, Medwick, Terry Moore, and
Breadon owned the Cardinals from 1920-1947

Breadon owned the Cardinals from 1920-1947

In closing the letter, Breadon writes to Stan Musial, “Baseball is your business, as well as mine, and we must work together. The club is taking all the chances of a very uncertain season, and the players must cooperate or there will be no season.” Breadon then tells Musial he’s re
Breadon blasts Musial in the final letter

Breadon blasts Musial in the final letter

After Stan Musial again rejected the owner’s proposal, Breadon called the response, “a disappointment”. He tells Musial, “it is impossible to consider the sum you ask for 1943,” and process to blast the young star. “You will have no more to do this
Front and back of the envelope that enclosed the first letter.

Front and back of the envelope that enclosed the first letter.

This is the original envelope that Stan Musial received the offer. Notice the team logos on the front and back, and the postmarks. With nine NL pennants and six World Series championships during his tenure, Breadon remains a strong candidate for induction into
Original envelope with March 3, 1943 postmark

Original envelope with March 3, 1943 postmark

Plenty of postage was required as this envelope housed the two-page letter and two copies of the contract the Breadon wanted Stan Musial to sign. Autographed letters are made more attractive when paired with their original envelopes.

3 responses to “Sam Breadon”

  1. steve says:

    I’m not even a Cardinals fan (I’m a Cubs fan) and I think Breadon should be in the Hall of Fame, no doubt about it. And I think that eventually he will be.

  2. Jim Smiley says:

    As a Cubs fan that’s big of you, Steve. Let’s hope Mr. Breadon gets in!

  3. Ken Pogson says:

    Fascinating exchange, the economic dynamic of the times was certainly an interesting piece of history. I looked up that address on Google, the Cardinals spelled his address incorrectly, it is actually McKean.

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

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