Buzzie Bavasi
| Birthdate | 12/12/1914 |
| Death Date | 05/01/2008 |
| Debut Year | 1951 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Angels, Dodgers, Padres |
| Position | Executive |
Buzzie Bavasi got his start in baseball when Ford Frick recommended that Larry MacPhail hire him for an office boy position with the Dodgers.
Leave a commentIn the collection:
Buzzie Bavasi was an important figure to three MLB franchises
Buzzie Bavasi was an important figure to three MLB franchises
Buzzie Bavasi got his break from the powerful father of his prep school and college roommate, Ford Frick. Then the newly minted National League president, Frick called old friend Larry MacPhail to recommend hiring Bavasi to an office boy position.
Bavasi would parlay that opening into a lifetime of devotion to the game of baseball. In this letter dated October 19, 1939, Bavasi as Director of Publicity responds to a fan’s request for pictures of the Dodgers.
Bavasi would later ascend to general manager of the team in 1951 and guide them as GM to their first four World Series titles, one in Brooklyn and three in Los Angeles.
After his time with the Dodgers, Bavasi became the first president of the San Diego Padres. He held the post from 1968-1977. From there he worked as GM of the Angels, building their first two teams to reach the post season.
His sons Peter and Bill also became big league general managers.
Buzzie worked to bring big league baseball to San Diego as Padres president
Buzzie worked to bring big league baseball to San Diego as Padres president
In the collection is this letter dated October 22, 1968 written to Baseball Commissioner William Eckert signed “EJ Bavasi” at the bottom. As Padres’ president Bavasi gives the commissioner notice of the team’s “desire and intention to acquire and include in The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs the territory in and about the City of San Diego California, in which the San Diego Baseball Company of the Pacific Coast League has heretofore been operating a National Association franchise.”
The letter is dated six months before the Padres franchise’s Opening Day and represents an important step in San Diego transitioning from a town with a PCL club, to America’s Finest City – home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres.
Buzzie Bavasi was name MLB Executive of the Year after the Dodgers won it all in '59
Buzzie Bavasi was name MLB Executive of the Year after the Dodgers won it all in '59
After winning their first championship in Los Angeles in 1959, the Dodgers needed to get their players fitted for World Series rings.
In this file copy letter Buzzie Bavasi writes to Duke Snider saying, “…it occurred to me some of the boys already have World Series rings…I thought you might like to have a ring made up for Bev rather than one for yourself.”
Though Snider’s best year’s came in Brooklyn the ’59 championship team played it’s games in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Snider also collected the first Dodger hit in the newly-minted Dodger Stadium in 1962.
Duke Snider's entire Dodger career was alongside Buzzie Bavasi
Duke Snider's entire Dodger career was alongside Buzzie Bavasi
Duke Snider responds to Bavasi’s inquiry about World Series jewelry, “My ring size is 7 1/2 for my little finger.” In closing the letter, Snider writes, “I guess that’s all for now. The leg feels good and the weight is just over 200. I’ll be 200 or under by spring.”
Though Duke’s best years were behind him he still hit 28 homers with 88 runs batted in and a .308 average in 1959. His numbers would continue decline before playing his last game in 1964.
World Series winners used this card to determine their ring size
World Series winners used this card to determine their ring size
Not sure what your ring size is? You might want to use this card to find out. Given to the Dodgers to size their fingers for the 1959 World Series rings, this particular card bears the signature of Charlie Dressen, a lifelong baseball man who served as a coach on the ’59 club.
The ring size card comes from the Balfour Company. Dressen has written, “Number 11” next to his signature.
As Brooklyn Vice President Bavasi oversaw much more than on-field personnel
As Brooklyn Vice President Bavasi oversaw much more than on-field personnel
Buzzie Bavasi was a 49-year old Vice President and General Manager of the Dodgers when he signed this letter on July 15, 1954. Three years into the position, Bavazi would reach the pinnacle of his career the following season when the Dodgers brought home Brooklyn’s first and only World Series championship.
All told, Bavasi’s Dodgers captured eight NL pennants and its first four World Series titles. Many believe Bavasi is worthy of induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
After retiring from the game, Buzzie Bavasi was a voting member of the Veterans Committee
After retiring from the game, Buzzie Bavasi was a voting member of the Veterans Committee
How does someone from more than a century ago get elected to the Hall of Fame? Veterans Committee member Buzzie Bavasi shed some light on the process for William Hulbert in this letter to a curious fan.
On March 18, 1995 Bavasi writes, “I believe that other members like myself did some research about Mr. Hulbert and learned that he belonged in the Hall. As a matter of fact, his vote was unanimous.”
NL president Warren Giles writes to Buzzie Bavasi to help Grover Cleveland Alexander's wife
NL president Warren Giles writes to Buzzie Bavasi to help Grover Cleveland Alexander's wife
Ten years after Grover Cleveland Alexander retired, his widow was in dire financial straights as revealed here in a letter from Hall of Fame executive Warren Giles to Dodger VP Buzzie Bavasi.
Giles quotes a letter received from Mrs. Alexander as he writes, “Frankly I am desperate and hope you will see fit to help me. I am 66 years old and having a rough go of it, with neuritis and arthritis plus the news this week of a heart condition, along with being financially embarrassed for the moment. If and when I can be working again, I will not need help.”
I know the National League sent Alex $100 for some time, which was discontinued at his death…Mr. Giles, is there any way you can help me, perhaps temporarily? How little I ever dreamed I would have to ask for any help.”
Giles writes to Bavasi letting him know that the league and the Dodgers aren’t really going to help. “I don’t like to get the League involved on any monthly or annual welfare payments that we are not already committed for…While I realize she probably is in difficulty, I have doubt if her situation is “desperate” at the present time. The fact that she is asking for employment indicates she is able to do some work and inasmuch as you have nothing to offer possibly she will find something elsewhere.”
With today’s multi-million dollar contracts it is difficult to image poverty for the family of a 373-game winner. Alexander won over 20 games in nine seasons, leading the league six times.
Son Bill Bavasi served as Angels GM - here's a letter from him
Son Bill Bavasi served as Angels GM - here's a letter from him
The Bavasi family tree has lots of Major League branches. His oldest son, Peter served as the first general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays and later as the team’s president from 1978-1981 and later as president of the Indians in 1986.
Younger son Bill was Vice President and general manager of the Angels when he wrote the letter shown above. Here he writes the prospect of the team hiring Jeff Torborg as manager.
“While we agree with you regarding Mr. Torborg’s character and qualities, we are hopeful that whoever becomes our next manager will possess similar qualities and be someone our fans find acceptable.”
The Angels would eventually hire Terry Collins as their manager. Torborg would eventually return to the field as skipper for the Montreal Expos in 2001, a job that would last until early in the 2003 season.
