Will Harridge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Harridge (October 16, 1883 - April 9, 1971) was an American executive in Major League Baseball whose most significant role was as president of the American League from 1931 to 1958.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Will Harridge
is a member of
the Baseball
Hall of Fame

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. Harridge became American League secretary in 1927. He became president of the American League in 1931 and held that post until his retirement in 1958. He was a modest human being who successfully promoted the league without personally seeking the spotlight. Harridge 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. He died at age 87 in Evanston, Illinois. Harridge is interred in Memorial Park in Skokie, Illinois.

He was elected posthumously to the Baseball Hall of Fame in by the Veterans Committee in 1972. The American League Championship Series Trophy is named in his honor.