John Galbreath

John Wilmer Galbreath

• School Ohio University

• Born August 9, 1897 in Derby, OH USA
• Died July 20, 1988 in Columbus, OH USA

Biographical Information

John Galbreath was the son of a farmer who worked various jobs early on such as photographer, bicycle repairman, and waiter. He graduated from college in 1922, and had some success in real estate, but lost everything during the depression. Galbreath made his comeback selling property for banks. He owned two Kentucky Derby winners: Chateaugay in 1963 and Proud Clarion in 1967.

In 1946, Galbreath, along with Bing Crosby, Tom Johnson, and Frank McKinney, bought the Pittsburgh Pirates. Two years later he took over McKinney's interest in the team. He became president of the team in 1950. The team won three World Series during his ownership (1946-1985): in 1960, 1971, and 1979. In 1979, he passed the presidency on to his son, Dan Galbreath. The wealth of the two Galbreathes was estimated at $400 million two years before John's death.

Further Reading

• Warren Corbett: "John W. Galbreath", in Clifton Blue Parker and Bill Nowlin, ed.: Sweet '60: The 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2013, pp. 214-219. ISBN 978-1-93359-948-9

Related Sites

• John Galbreath at the SABR Bio Project