Legendary American League President Lee MacPhail Passes Away - MLB News
On November 8, 2012, baseball lost one of its great names. Lee MacPhail was a true gentleman and a member of baseball’s foremost families. He was the son of Larry MacPhail, who served at the front office of several Major League franchises. The MacPhails
are the only father-son duo who has won a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Born in 1917, Lee was soft spoken and wise person. Starting his career with his father’s Brooklyn Dodgers, he later joined the New York Yankees where he climbed up the ranks becoming the farm system director. He made his contribution to the club that won
seven World Series titles between 1949 and 1958.
He then joined the Baltimore Orioles as a general manager. He would later become the President of the ball club. He is credited for much of the success the Orioles had in the latter half of the 1960’s. He once again joined the New York Yankees in 1966 as
a general manager. Although the team did not win any major events under his general manager ship, they were put on track for future success.
MacPhail was then elected as the President of the American League, a position he held from 1974 to 1984. Amongst the many other deeds during his tenure, he has been highly regarded as the person behind the end of 1981 players’ strike. He also played a part
in the designated hitter rule.
Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig paid rich tributes to the deceased Hall of Famer.
"Lee MacPhail was one of the great executives in baseball history and a Hall of Famer in every sense, both personally and professionally," he said. "I had great admiration for Lee as American League president, and he was respected and liked by everyone with
whom he came in contact. His hallmarks were dignity, common sense and humility."
Lee was respected by one and all for his insight in the game, his gentlemanlike ways and his dedication. Once Eddie Chiles, the owner of the Texas Rangers suggested that everyone should listen when Mr. MacPhail talks. He had several skirmishes over the years
with George Steinbrenner. Yet Steinbrenner, the late Yankees’ owner was aware of Lee’s influence. "You don't want to be against MacPhail on an important issue too many times because you start to look bad if you are," he once said.
Lee’s son Andy served as the general manager for the Minnesota Twins from 1986 to 1994. He was the President and CEO of the Chicago Cubs from 1994 to 2006. He joined the Baltimore Orioles in 2007 and stayed with Baltimore until 2011. Lee MacPhail’s grandson,
Lee MacPhail IV is currently a baseball scout for the Baltimore Orioles.
The services of the MacPhail’s in general and those of Lee in particular will always be fondly remembered by the baseball circles. He was truly a great ambassador for baseball and gave so much to the game he loved.
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