August “Garry” Herrmann was one of the most powerful figures in baseball for the better part of two decades. He got his start in game as part of a group that purchased the Reds in 1902.
As the Cincinnati club president, he helped broker peace between the National League and the upstart American League. In 1903, the two leagues agreed to the “National Agreement” sometimes referred to as the “Cincinnati Peace Treaty”.
The agreement called for a three-person National Commission to keep harmony between the NL and AL. Each league was represented by their president, Ban Johnson for the AL, and Harry Pulliam for the NL. Herrmann was elected as the chairman. As the deciding vote on many issues, Herrmann served as de facto commissioner of baseball. He held that position from 1903 through 1920 until Judge Landis was installed in the newly-created office of commissioner. Herrmann was so respected in his capacity of Chairman of the National Commission and as Reds owner that he was elected the Hall of Fame’s Honor Rolls of Baseball in 1946. Many believe Herrmann is deserving of a plaque in Cooperstown. The letterhead shown here reveals the power structure of the National Commission. Below the banner atop the letter are the words, “Created by the National Agreement for the Government of Professional Base Ball”. The upper left side of the letter lists Herrmann as chairman.
In this correspondence Chairman Herrmann writes to Hall of Fame executive Ed Barrow who in 1911 was the president of the Eastern League.
Barrow was working to get a name change for his Eastern League to be called the International League due to its two franchises in Canada. Barrow would eventually gain Herrmann’s blessing and the league was renamed before the start of the 1912 campaign. Barrow was inducted into the Hall in 1953.