The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2023
Ford Frick
- Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2023
- Embed from Getty Images
- Sport(s): Baseball Executive
- Statistics: Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
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A broadcaster at WOR in New York City, Ford Frick was hired by the National League as their public relations director. He didn’t last long in his role, only because he was chosen to be the president of the NL that year.
Frick was tough but fair, and he earned the respect of owners, managers, and players alike. In 1951, Happy Chandler was the commissioner of the majors, but baseball owners had no interest in renewing his contract. Frick was voted in, and he would hold that position until 1965.
With Frick as the commissioner, the league continued to grow and ventured into television, a medium which he understood was necessary to expand baseball's popularity. Frick was not without controversy, as he was criticized (though praised for some) for being relatively hands-off, and history has not been kind to decision to place an asterisk on Roger Maris' 61 home runs, in that he did it in a 162-game season as opposed to Babe Ruth's 154.
Despite Frick’s decision with the asterisk, Ford’s tenure as the commissioner of Major League Baseball was a productive one.
In recognition of Frick, the Ford C. Frick Award is given every year to outstanding broadcasters.
We are proud to nominate Ford C. Frick for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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