Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kuhn
Birthdate 10/28/1926
Death Date 3/15/2007
Debut Year 1969
Year of Induction 2007
Teams MLB
Positions Commissioner, Executive

Bowie Kuhn served almost 20 years as legal counsel for Major League Baseball owners before becoming the game’s 5th commissioner in 1969.

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Bowie Kuhn succeeded Spike Eckert as commissioner in 1969

Bowie Kuhn succeeded Spike Eckert as commissioner in 1969

Bowie Kuhn’s baseball roots run deep. As a teenager he worked the scoreboard for the Senators at Griffith Stadium. After earning his law degree, Kuhn served as the National League’s general counsel for more than a decade. In 1969 he was given a one-year term as baseball’s fifth com
Kuhn invited living members of the Hall of Fame to Baseball's Centennial Celebration

Kuhn invited living members of the Hall of Fame to Baseball's Centennial Celebration

Shown here is Bowie Kuhn’s invitation to the Centennial Celebration to Hall of Fame pitcher Red Faber. It mirrors the letter to Stengel. One can only imagine the trappings of Kuhn’s position as Commissioner of Baseball. For the celebration, baseball commissioned
Baseball dignitaries enjoyed the Centennial Celebration

Baseball dignitaries enjoyed the Centennial Celebration

The Centennial Celebration gave reason for the greatest living players to congregate in one place. Pie Traynor, Joe DiMaggio and Lefty Grove were chosen to both the All Time Team and the greatest living players. All three were in attendance. All men selected to the living team were in attendance ex
Kuhn himself corresponded with the men invited to the Centennial Celebration

Kuhn himself corresponded with the men invited to the Centennial Celebration

In this letter to Hall of Fame outfielder Max Carey, Kuhn acknowledges Carey’s attendance to the event. Kuhn writes that he’s delighted Carey will attend and that the commissioner will reserve two tickets to the 1969 All Star game. Carey led the NL in stolen bases ten times in his 20-yea
Kuhn also presided over the 50th anniversary celebration of the first All Star Game

Kuhn also presided over the 50th anniversary celebration of the first All Star Game

Baseball’s first All Star Game was held in Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1933. What was thought to be a one-time event became a yearly celebration of the game’s great players. In 1983 the game returned to Comiskey for its 50th anniversary. Shown here is the invitation to the gala sent
Kuhn and his family developed meaningful and lasting baseball relationships

Kuhn and his family developed meaningful and lasting baseball relationships

During Bowie Kuhn’s time as baseball’s chief, the game enjoyed unprecedented attendance gains. Overall it increased from 23 million the year before he took over to 45.5 million in 1983 the year before he left the game. Kuhn left office and was succeeded by Peter Ueberroth. In retirement

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

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