Buzzie Bavasi

Emil Joseph "Buzzie" Bavasi (born December 12, 1914 in New York City) is a former executive in Major League Baseball who played a major role in the operation of three franchises.

Related Topics:
December 12 - 1914 - New York City - Major League Baseball

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Bavasi was hired by Larry MacPhail in 1939 to become a front office assistant with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and after one year was named the business manager of the Dodgers' Class D minor league team in Georgia. By 1948, he had become general manager of the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' top farm team, and he was promoted to the position of Dodgers general manager before the 1951 season. In his nearly 18 years as the Dodgers' GM, the team won 8 National League pennants – including the first four World Series titles in franchise history, three of them after the team's move to Los Angeles in 1958. After the team won the Series in 1959, in only their second year in Los Angeles, The Sporting News named Bavasi the Major League Executive of the Year.

Related Topics:
Larry MacPhail - 1939 - Brooklyn Dodgers - General manager - Montreal Royals - 1951 - National League - World Series - Los Angeles - 1958 - 1959 - The Sporting News

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In 1968, Bavasi resigned from the Dodgers to become president and part owner of the expansion San Diego Padres, serving until 1977. In 1978, Gene Autry hired him to be vice president and general manager of the California Angels; he retired in 1984 after the Angels reached the playoffs twice during his tenure.

Related Topics:
1968 - San Diego Padres - 1977 - 1978 - Gene Autry - California Angels - 1984

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His son Bill is currently the general manager of the Seattle Mariners; another son, Chris, formerly served as mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Related Topics:
Bill - Seattle Mariners - Flagstaff, Arizona

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