Gabe Paul

Gabriel Howard Paul

• Born January 4, 1910 in Rochester, NY USA
• Died April 26, 1998 in Rochester, NY USA

Biographical Information

Gabe Paul started in baseball while in his teens. The Rochester Red Wings were run by Warren Giles, and Paul impressed Giles enough to be hired as a general handy man. He started writing publicity releases for the team, then he learned front office detail and concessions. When Giles left to become the GM of the Cincinnati Reds, Paul followed him to be the Reds' publicity chief, replacing Gene Karst (who was the first "publicity man" in the major leagues, with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1931). Paul became Giles' first assistant and remained with Cincinnati when Giles left to become National League president in 1951.

Gabe was vice president and General Manager until 1960, when he left to become GM of the expansion Houston Colt 45's. Paul didn't stay long enough to see Houston field a team, as he moved to the Cleveland Indians in 1961, serving as GM until 1973. In 1963, he was part of a group that bought the Indians, and added the titles of president and treasurer. In 1966 he sold his stock to Vernon Stouffer. He was replaced as GM in Cleveland by his longtime "second banana" Phil Seghi.

Paul left the Indians to become GM of the New York Yankees in 1973. He was with New York until returning to Cleveland as president and minority owner in 1978.

Preceded by Warren Giles

Cincinnati Reds General Manager 1951-1960

Succeeded by Bill DeWitt

Preceded by Frank Lane

Cleveland Indians General Manager 1961-1969

Succeeded by Alvin Dark

Preceded by Alvin Dark

Cleveland Indians General Manager 1971-1972

Succeeded by Phil Seghi

Preceded by Lee MacPhail

New York Yankees General Manager 1974-1977

Succeeded by Cedric Tallis

Further Reading

• William A. Cook: Gabe Paul: The Long Road to the Bronx Zoo, Sunbury Press, Mechanicsburg, PA, 2022. ISBN 9781620064993

Related Sites

• Gabe Paul at the SABR Bio Project