The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-01-13
BALL MACNATES
SELF-MADE men
Most of Heads of Organized Base
ball From the Ranks

baseball magnates are as a general
thing sclf-made men. 1t is surpris-
ing 10 note the number of men who
made money through their own eff
forts In business and then invested
their fortunes in the national game.
Frank Navin, president of the De
trolt Tigers, prepared himself for law
before he managed To secure an inter
est ia the Detroit club when il was
cheap.
The natural increment Of the value
Of the club isncc he took hold of il
due 10 excellent management, the
winning of a trio of American league
pennants and the growth of Detroit
would alone make his wealthy.
Navin was fortunate that he had
in partnership with him young mil
lionaire who was willing To take n
chance, Bill Yawkey.
Thirty years ago, wrsn the game
was just beginning To amount to
something. Ben Shibe, of the Ath-
eics thought he saw good prospects
for a man who would make baseballs
as a business. So he went 10 it,
and began To supply all the baseballs
used by the National league. Then
when he great firms of Spalding and
Reach were organized, he obtained
the contract To make all the baseballs
Tor both. He was taken i'm later as u
partner by both companies. and he
continues To make all the baseballs
sold by them and used officially by the
National ana American leagues.
The latest recruit To the ranks of
club owners is a shining example of
the self-made man. Joseph j. Lanin
who now controls half of the stock of
the Boston Ped Sox, began his career
as bellboy i'm "a hotel, of which he
became owner by saving his tips. He
also is now the proprietor of several
other hotels, including the big Gar
den City hotel on Long Island. one of
the best obstetrics i'm the east outside
Of New York city, and he also is well
endowed with real estate i'm and
around BOston-all bought with mon
cy earned from the nest-egg of his
bellboy's tips.
James T.. Galfney. head of the Bos-
Ton Nationals, has had a varied
career He began as a milk wagon
driNer, later became policeman.
worked up in the force and then re-
signed 10 become an alderman. He
now is one of the ruling spirits in
New York Democratic political affairs.
Inc soda water clerk on the list is
charles w. Murphy, president of the
'hlcago Cubs. He tended fountain
IN Cincinnati during the years of his
Youth, and then drummed up on the
SIDE a lucrative business selling mod
crate priced iewelry To his customers.
Harry y. Hampstead, president of
the New York Giants. was a salesman
IN the late John II. Brush's enterprise
ID indianapolis, known us THE When
'ioihing store. He sold overcoats,
trouscrs, vests, ovcralls and jumpers.
Later he married Il daughter of MIR.
brush and was put in charge of the
store, where he showed so much abil-
NY mat MS father-in law bequcathed
ms interest in the Giants To him at
his death.
charles II. Ebbctts knocked
around Brooklyn as a hoy and final
W landed the position of head ticket
seller in the grandstand of the Brook
Fl baseball club % years ago. From
'"'re ne worked UP by gradual steps
until now he is president of the club,
position he has held continuously
since 1898.
William i. Baker. owner of the
Philadelphia Nationals, held "a posi-
ton IN the civil service i'm Brooklyn
"Heh u young man. Later he was civil
service commissioner of Brooklyn and
'n'h hecame deputy police commits
Sloil'r OF New York under Mayor Nc
''lian' subsequently being promoted
To the position or police commissioner.
h'S'urs his baseball venture. he also
T" interested in i big wholesale millin-
establishment al the presen, time.
'"'rHeN Dfeyfuss used to he whisky
"'u'h'hor in Louisville. He made 81
NUN money that he was able to buy
'."'h IN The old Louisville dub of the
'''"n'l league. Of which he became
'''''ueht IN 1899, the last year tho
'"p was in the LEAGUE. lie went io
we fltt"burgh club MS it's. president
""u owner in 1900, and he has been
"n'r" ever since.
august Hermann, president of the