William Eckert
| Birthdate | 1/20/1909 |
| Death Date | 4/16/1971 |
| Debut Year | 1965 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | MLB |
| Position | Commissioner |
William “Spike” Eckert was a lieutenant general in the Air Force and served as the fourth commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1965-1968.
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Spike Eckert was the first Commissioner of Baseball not to reach Cooperstown
Spike Eckert was the first Commissioner of Baseball not to reach Cooperstown
Baseball employed only three commissioners before owners tabbed William “Spike” Eckert to start his reign on November 17, 1965. The leaders before him each went into the Hall of Fame — Judge Landis, Happy Chandler, and Ford Frick — as did Bowie Kuhn after him.
Though now a mere footnote in the history of the game, Eckert was its leader when he sent this letter to St. Louis Cardinal legend Stan Musial.
The commissioner writes, “Just a word to let you know how much I enjoyed Stan Musial Day at Busch Stadium. It was a day I shall long remember and an honor befitting an individual of your great stature.” Eckert’s signature is at the bottom of this letter dated August 14, 1968, just three months before the end of his time as commissioner.
Commissioner Eckert presided over baseball's 1969 expansion
Commissioner Eckert presided over baseball's 1969 expansion
As Commissioner of Baseball, Spike Eckert oversaw Major League Baseball’s expansion into four cities. Lucky fans in San Diego, Montreal, Seattle, and Kansas City got teams.
The Seattle Pilot franchise relocated to Milwaukee and became the Brewers while the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals.
In the collection is this letter written by Padres minority owner, team president, and GM Buzzie Bavasi. Dated less than a month before Eckert’s time as commissioner came to an end, the letter outlines the Padres intention the acquire the territory formerly held by San Diego’s PCL Padres.
The letter represents a major step in San Diego transitioning from a town with a PCL club, to America’s Finest City – home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres.
