Bill Veeck: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1991

Born: February 9, 1914
1933: Father died; left college
1937: Came up with the idea for Ivy in Wrigley Field
1941: Purchased Milwaukee Brewers (Minor Leagues)
1942: Tried to buy Philadelphia Phillies
1942-5: World War II
1946: Purchased Cleveland Indians
1947: Moved Indians to Municipal Stadium
1947: Signed first African American player in AL history (Larry Doby)
1948: Signed Satchel Paige
1948: Indians win World Series
1951: Bought St Louis Browns
1951: Sent Eddie Gaedel in to pinch hit
1951: Grandstand Manager Day
1959: Bought Chicago White Sox
1979: Disco Demolition Night
1980: Retired
1981: Sold the White Sox
1986: Died
1991: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Cmte)

Accomplishments:
1948 World Champion
Signed first African American player in AL
One of the greatest promoters in baseball history

Happy Chandler: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1982

Born: July 14, 1898

1901: Mother abandoned family

1918: WWI ended before he was called to service

1920: Played semi-pro ball

1921: Graduated from Transylvania University

1924: Graduated University of Kentucky

1925-30: Lawyer, coach, and scout

1928: Commissioner on circuit court

1929-31: Kentucky Senate

1931-35: Lt. Governor of Kentucky

1935-39: Governor of Kentucky

1939-45: U.S. Senator

1945-51: Baseball Commissioner

1946: Imposed 5 year ban on players jumping to Mexico

1946: Averted first player's strike

1947: Supported Jackie Robinson and end of the color barrier

1947: Negotiated baseball's first major media deal

1951: Wakefield dispute

1951-5: Writer, lawyer

1955-59: Governor of Kentucky

1957: Elected to Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame

1960: Ran for president

1962: Ran for governor again

1965-6: Commissioner of Continental Football League

1967: Ran for governor

1971: Ran for governor

1982: Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

1989: Published autobiography

1991: Died


Accomplishments:
Supported desegregation

Stopped players jumping to Mexico

Averted players' strike

Negotiated baseball's first major media deal

Buck Leonard: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1972

Born: September 8, 1907

1921: Finished school at 14. Black youths could not attend High School at the time.

1933: Negro League debut (Brooklyn Royal Giants)

1934: Joined to Homestead Grays

1937-45: Grays won the NNL title each season

1950: Retired from NNL

1950-5: Played in Mexico and in Minors

1952: Offered a major league contract, but declined due to his age

1955: Permanently retired

1972: Elected to Hall of Fame

1997: Died

1999: Finalist for All-Century team