From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Harridge (October 16, 1883 in Chicago, Illinois - April 9, 1971) was an American executive in professional baseball whose most significant role was as president of the American League from 1931 to 1958. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee in 1972.
Harridge earned his start in baseball in 1911 when American League founder and President Ban Johnson hired the railway ticket clerk to work for him. He was Johnson’s personal secretary from 1911 to 1927, and became American League secretary in 1927. He became president of the American League in 1931, held that post until his retirement in 1958, and then was named President Emeritus.
Harridge was a modest human being who successfully promoted the league without personally seeking the spotlight. He was instrumental in convincing American League club owners to play an interleague All-Star game, thus beginning the mid-summer tradition that started in 1933.
Harridge faced some criticism for his involvement in allowing Arnold Johnson, a business associate of New York Yankees owners Dan Topping and Del Webb, to purchase the Philadelphia Athletics and move them to Kansas City rather than allow local owners to purchase the team and keep it in Philadelphia. He is also criticized by some for his then "non-involvement" for turning a blind eye to the control that the Yankees had over Johnson and the A's.
Will Harridge died at age 87 in Evanston, Illinois, and is interred in Memorial Park in Skokie, Illinois.
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