John Heydler

John Arnold Heydler

• Born July 10, 1869 in La Fargeville, NY USA
• Died April 19, 1956 in San Diego, CA USA

Biographical Information

Now largely forgotten, John Heydler was one of baseball's renaissance men from the late 19th century through the middle of the 20th century. He took a job as a National League umpire in 1898, leaving behind a government position. He had previously worked a handful of games every year from 1895 to 1897.

In 1899, he was hired by a sportswriter before gaining notice of National League president Harry Pulliam. Heydler was first Pulliam's secretary then secretary-treasurer of the league. When Pulliam died in 1909, Heydler briefly served as league president. He returned to the position of secretary-treasurer when Thomas J. Lynch was named permanently.

Nine years later, Heydler was named National League president a second time. He replaced John Tener in the league office. Heydler served sixteen years in the post. He was influential in the election of Kenesaw Mountain Landis as baseball's first Commissioner and in the establishment of the Hall of Fame.

After his retirement as league president at age 65, Heydler was named Chairman of the National League. A position he held until his death.

Source: Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia

Related Sites

• John Heydler at the SABR Bio Project
• John Heydler on Retrosheet.org