Bill Veeck

Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
	Veeck in 1944 as he recuperated from his World War II injuries
Born	William Louis Veeck Jr.; February 9, 1914; Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	January 2, 1986 (aged 71); Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Kenyon College (did not graduate)
Spouses	Eleanor Raymond (m. 1935; div. 1949); Mary Frances Ackerman (m. 1950);
Children	9
Parent(s)	William Veeck Sr. (father); Grace DeForest (mother)
	Baseball career
Career highlights and awards
	World Series champion (1948); Signed Larry Doby to the Indians and helped integrate the American League in 1947.; Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame;
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1991
Election method	Veterans Committee

William Louis Veeck Jr. (/ˈvɛk/ VECK; February 9, 1914 – January 2, 1986), also known as "Sport Shirt Bill" and "Wild Bill", was an American Major League Baseball franchise owner and promoter. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis Browns, and the Chicago White Sox. As owner and team president of the Indians in 1947, Veeck signed Larry Doby, thus beginning the integration of the American League, and the following year won a World Series title.

Veeck was the last owner to purchase a baseball franchise without an independent fortune, and is responsible for many innovations and contributions to baseball.

Unable to compete in the new era of salary escalation ignited by arbitration and free agency, Veeck sold his ownership interests in the White Sox after the 1980 season. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in 1991.

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