Bing Crosby

Harry L. Crosby

• Born May 2, 1904 in Tacoma, WA USA
• Died October 14, 1977 in Madrid, Spain

Biographical Information

Singer Bing Crosby was part owner and vice president of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He first purchased stock in 1947, and owned it into the 1960's. In 1956, he signed Tom Mulcahy to a professional baseball contract (Bing, like Tom, had gone to Gonzaga University, so there was a connection). In 1957, the Commissioner of Baseball ruled that Bing did not have to sell some shares of Detroit Tigers stock which he owned along with his Pirates stock.

Bing played baseball in various leagues while a youth, according to "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams". A friend remembered him as a better baseball than football player.

An article about Bob Hope's connection with baseball - and including a picture of Hope and Bing Crosby wearing uniforms of the teams they owned stock in, appears here: Thanks for the Memories at MLB