Buzzie Bavasi

Buzzie Bavasi autograph
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.

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In 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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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

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

~Jacques Barzun, 1954