- Fred Knorr
Frederick A. Knorr (died 1960) was a
radio executive and part-owner of theDetroit Tigers inMajor League Baseball from 1956 until his death in 1960.A graduate of
Hillsdale College inHillsdale, Michigan , Knorr purchased four Michigan radio stations, including WKMH, which broadcasted Tigers games. In 1956, Knorr andJohn Fetzer led an ownership group intending to acquire the Tigers and Briggs Stadium from the Briggs family. The team was sold at a cost of $5,500,000 with assurances of retainingWalter Briggs, Jr. , who was given the position of executive vice president. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,867056,00.html "Time": All ($5,500,000) for Fun] ] In addition to being owner, Knorr also served as president in 1957 before being replaced byHarvey Hansen onApril 19 , 1957. [ [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/D/Detroit_Tigers.stm BaseballLibrary.com: Detroit Tigers] ]The team under Knorr's new direction supported integration of baseball, a position that was contrary to Walter Briggs' longtime segregationist stance. [ [http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=53&category=sports "The Detroit News": The day the Tigers finally integrated] ] On
June 6 ,1958 ,Ozzie Virgil, Sr. became the first black player for the Tigers.In 1960, Knorr died in an accident and Fetzer became majority owner.
ee also
*
Detroit Tigers/Managers and ownership References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
