Warren Giles

Warren Giles

Birthdate	5/28/1896
Death Date	2/7/1979
Debut Year
Year of Induction	1979
Teams	MLB, National League, Reds
Positions	Executive, League President

The Warren Giles Trophy is awarded each year to the National League Champion. Giles served as NL president from 1951-1969.

Giles writes to Dodger VP Bavasi to help Grover Cleveland Alexander's widow

Ten years after Grover Cleveland Alexander retired, his widow was in dire financial straights. Shown here is a letter from Hall of Fame executive Warren Giles to Dodger VP Buzzie Bavasi. Giles quotes an earlier correspondence received from Mrs. Alexander, writing “Frankly I am desperate

Congratulatory telegrams sent by Warren Giles to Warren Spahn after his 300th win

After Warren Spahn earned his 300th victory the congratulatory telegrams came rolling in. Shown here is one such telegram that originates from the Warren Spahn estate. National League president Warren Giles chimes in saying, “Again congratulations on another great achievement in your wonderful

Warren Giles writes that only 1,179 attended Chuck Klein's 4-homer game in 1936

From 1929-1933 Chuck Klein was one of baseball’s most feared sluggers. During the five-year run, the Phillies star hit .359 and led the league in homers four times. In 1932 Klein was the National League MVP and followed up the campaign with a Triple Crown season in ’33. His most prolific individ

Warren Giles invites HoFer Max Carey to Cooperstown dinner

One of the perks of being National League president is interacting with former players. In this letter dated March 8, 1969 NL boss Warren Giles writes to Max Carey saying in part, “The Commissioner’s Office, the National and American Leagues are jointly entertaining all living members of the Hall of Fame at a dinner at the Otesaga Hotel, Cooperstown,

Warren Giles writes about the Giants watering down the base paths to slow Maury Wills in 1962

Maury Wills made an assault on the NL record book as the Giants battled the Dodgers for the NL pennant in 1962. No National League team could stop the Dodger speedster on the bases. By season’s end, Will’s had a post-1900 MLB record 104 thefts. When the Giants hosted the Dodgers for a cr

As Reds GM, Warren Giles writes to Bucky Walters re: contracts

Inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1958, Bucky Walters was the second of three consecutive Reds to win the NL MVP Award. First came Ernie Lombardi in 1938, then Walters, then Frank McCormick in 1940. Shown here is a letter from then-Vice President and General Manager of the Reds, Hall of Fame executive Warren Giles. Dated

Warren Giles signed contract for Ken Boyer's 1964 MVP season

In his capacity as National League president Warren Giles signed many documents. This contract holds historical significance because it’s for an MVP year. Ken Boyer’s Hall of Fame credentials are many. A 7-time All Star, 5-time Gold Glover, and 1964 Most Valuable Player, Boyer hit over .

Signature page for Ken Boyer's 1964 MVP year contract

The third page of the standard four-page document holds the signature of Bing Devine in his position as General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and that of Hall of Fame executive Warren Giles. Ken Boyer has also penned his name on the deal dated February 20, 1964. The season was the zenith for

Warren Giles writes about Wes Ferrell's HoF qualifications

A strong Hall of Fame case can be made for Wes Ferrell. The six twenty-win seasons were complimented by an appearance in the sport’s first All Star game in 1933. In the collection is National League president Warren Giles’ response to a fan about Ferrell’s Cooperstown candidacy. A Hall of Famer himself, Giles writes,

File Copy of Warren Giles invitation to 1966 Yankee Old Timers' Day from Dan Topping Jr.

As President of the National League, Warren Giles represented the senior circuit at events throughout the baseball season. In the collection is this file copy letter inviting Giles to Yankee Stadium for the 1966 Old Timers Day sent to him by Dan Topping Jr., son of the Yankees owner. His acceptance

Warren Giles accepts Dan Topping Jr.'s invitation to 1966 Yankees Old Timers Game

Though the invitation to the 1966 Yankee Old Timers Day is dated June 17, NL President Warren Giles did not respond until nearly a month later in this letter dated July 7. The NL chief allows that he’ll be there for the event, but only for the first one or two innings because he must leave for

NL chief and HoFer Warren Giles writes about a George Wright single-signed baseball

Shown here is a letter signed by then-National League president and future Hall of Famer Warren Giles in which he discusses a baseball autographed by the first batter in NL history, George Wright. In the correspondence dated June 10, 1965, Giles thanks Jefferson W. Hudson of the Eagle-Picher Company that

1965 National League president Warren Giles responds to autograph request of Morgan Bulkeley, the first NL president

Collectors of Hall of Fame autographs search far and wide for signatures. In this letter National League President Warren Giles responds to a fan’s request about obtaining the autograph of the league’s first president, Morgan Bulkeley. In his letter dated May 7, 1965 Giles informs the autogr

In retirement Giles served in honorary roles for the National League

Warren Giles served as the President of the National League from 1952-1969. When he stepped down, Giles still served the league, primarily in honorary roles. Shown here is Giles’s expense report dated April 18, 1973. The travel expenses were from Giles’ trip from Cincinnati to Philadelphia to present Steve Carlton with his Cy Young award.

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They tried and tried again. No matter what National League clubs did, they just couldn’t slow down Maury Wills in 1962. Wills’ Dodgers were in their fifth year in Los Angeles and thirsty for another World Series appearance. Winners of the 1959 Fall Classic, the team finished a disappointing fourth in 1960. They climbed to second place in ’61 and seemed poised for a post-season return in ’62. Wills did his part. The Dodger shortstop was historically great on the bases, swiping 104 bags. To put that into perspective, the last time a National Leaguer stole even half that many was in 1920. No big league team matched Wills’ total in ’62. The Dodger squad had one .300 hitter in batting champ Tommy Davis whose 153 runs batted in led the league. Davis got help from Frank Howard, the only other Dodger to tally 100 RBI. Together they counted on Wills to get aboard and make his way into scoring position. Dodgers and Giants vie for NL supremacy While Wills was on his way to the stolen base record, the Dodgers fought the Giants for the top spot in the NL. Behind Wills, Davis, and the pitching of Cy Young […]

In the collection:

Giles writes to Dodger VP Bavasi to help Grover Cleveland Alexander's widow

Congratulatory telegrams sent by Warren Giles to Warren Spahn after his 300th win

Warren Giles writes that only 1,179 attended Chuck Klein's 4-homer game in 1936

Warren Giles invites HoFer Max Carey to Cooperstown dinner

Warren Giles writes about the Giants watering down the base paths to slow Maury Wills in 1962

As Reds GM, Warren Giles writes to Bucky Walters re: contracts

Warren Giles signed contract for Ken Boyer's 1964 MVP season

Signature page for Ken Boyer's 1964 MVP year contract

Warren Giles writes about Wes Ferrell's HoF qualifications

File Copy of Warren Giles invitation to 1966 Yankee Old Timers' Day from Dan Topping Jr.

Warren Giles accepts Dan Topping Jr.'s invitation to 1966 Yankees Old Timers Game

NL chief and HoFer Warren Giles writes about a George Wright single-signed baseball

1965 National League president Warren Giles responds to autograph request of Morgan Bulkeley, the first NL president

In retirement Giles served in honorary roles for the National League

A Story about Warren Giles

San Francisco grounds crew helped the Giants win the pennant in ’62

May 29th, 2020 Leave a comment

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