Bob Quinn (baseball)
Encyclopedia
James Aloysius Robert Quinn (February 14, 1870 - March 12, 1954) was an American
executive in Major League Baseball
who became renowned for his management of four different franchises.
Born in Columbus, Ohio
, he was a catcher
in minor league baseball
during the 1890s, also managing some of the teams for which he played. From 1902 to 1917, he served as general manager
of the Columbus Senators
in the American Association
; he was also among the founders of that league. In 1908 he founded and was president of the Ohio State League
, a Class D minor league which began operation as a six team league with teams located in Central/Southern Ohio. He became general manager of the St. Louis Browns
from 1917–1922, developing the perennially poor team into one which lost the 1922
American League
pennant by a single game.
In 1923
, Quinn led a group that purchased the Boston Red Sox
, and as team president he worked to restore the credibility of a franchise whose best players had been sold off by previous owner Harry Frazee
. The group included businessman and former president of the Columbus Senators, Edward Schoenborn and Columbus physician Robert B. Drury, who had put himself through medical school playing and managing in the minor leagues in the early 1900s. However, the most important member of Quinn's ownership group, St. Louis millionaire Palmer Winslow, died in 1927. For the remainder of Quinn's tenure as Bosox owner, the team suffered from lack of finances and plunged into the basement of the American League.
After selling the Red Sox to Tom Yawkey
in 1933
, Quinn became general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers
in 1934-1935. He then joined the Boston Braves
as team president and part owner from 1936 to 1945. After his 1945 retirement, he briefly served as a sporting goods executive, and then became president of the Baseball Hall of Fame from 1948 to 1951, leaving that position after suffering two stroke
s.
Quinn died at age 84 in Providence, Rhode Island
, and was buried near Columbus. His son John J. Quinn
served as general manager of the Braves following his father's retirement, continuing after the team moved to Milwaukee
in 1953, and later served as GM of the Philadelphia Phillies
. His grandson Bob Quinn
served as general manager of the New York Yankees
, Cincinnati Reds
, and San Francisco Giants
between 1988 and 1996, and his grandson Jack Quinn served as general manager of the St. Louis Blues franchise in the National Hockey League
. His great-grandson Bob Quinn (born 1968) is the current executive vice president - finance and administration and chief financial officer of the Milwaukee Brewers
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
executive in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who became renowned for his management of four different franchises.
Born in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, he was a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
during the 1890s, also managing some of the teams for which he played. From 1902 to 1917, he served as general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of the Columbus Senators
Columbus Red Birds
The Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, in the American Association from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators — a typical...
in the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
; he was also among the founders of that league. In 1908 he founded and was president of the Ohio State League
Ohio State League
The first Ohio State League was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League.The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916. Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43...
, a Class D minor league which began operation as a six team league with teams located in Central/Southern Ohio. He became general manager of the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
from 1917–1922, developing the perennially poor team into one which lost the 1922
1922 in sports
-American football:NFL championship* Canton Bulldogs wins the APFA title with a record of 10 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties.* The American Professional Football Association renames itself as the National Football League.College championship...
American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant by a single game.
In 1923
1923 in sports
-American football:NFL championship* Canton BulldogsCollege championship* College football national championship – California Golden Bears, Cornell Big Red, Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan Wolverines -Association football:England...
, Quinn led a group that purchased the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, and as team president he worked to restore the credibility of a franchise whose best players had been sold off by previous owner Harry Frazee
Harry Frazee
Harry Herbert Frazee was an American theatrical agent, producer and director, and former owner of the Major League Baseball Boston Red Sox from 1916 to 1923.- Life as owner of the Red Sox :...
. The group included businessman and former president of the Columbus Senators, Edward Schoenborn and Columbus physician Robert B. Drury, who had put himself through medical school playing and managing in the minor leagues in the early 1900s. However, the most important member of Quinn's ownership group, St. Louis millionaire Palmer Winslow, died in 1927. For the remainder of Quinn's tenure as Bosox owner, the team suffered from lack of finances and plunged into the basement of the American League.
After selling the Red Sox to Tom Yawkey
Tom Yawkey
Thomas Austin Yawkey, born Thomas Austin , was an American industrialist and Major League Baseball executive. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Yawkey became president of the Boston Red Sox in 1933, and was the sole owner of the team for 44 seasons, longer than anyone else in baseball history.-Early...
in 1933
1933 in sports
-Alpine skiing:Events* Taft Slalom, the first racing trail in North America, is cut on Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire-American football:NFL championship...
, Quinn became general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 1934-1935. He then joined the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
as team president and part owner from 1936 to 1945. After his 1945 retirement, he briefly served as a sporting goods executive, and then became president of the Baseball Hall of Fame from 1948 to 1951, leaving that position after suffering two stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
s.
Quinn died at age 84 in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, and was buried near Columbus. His son John J. Quinn
John Quinn (baseball executive)
John Jacob Quinn was an American executive in Major League Baseball and a member of one of the game's most celebrated multi-generational families....
served as general manager of the Braves following his father's retirement, continuing after the team moved to Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
in 1953, and later served as GM of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. His grandson Bob Quinn
Bob Quinn (baseball grandson)
Bob Quinn is a former Major League Baseball general manager. He served as general manager of the Cincinnati Reds from to and of the San Francisco Giants from to . He had previously served as general manager of the New York Yankees. His grandfather, also named Bob Quinn, was also a baseball...
served as general manager of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
between 1988 and 1996, and his grandson Jack Quinn served as general manager of the St. Louis Blues franchise in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. His great-grandson Bob Quinn (born 1968) is the current executive vice president - finance and administration and chief financial officer of the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.