Mike Wilson (executive)

Myron Henry Wilson Jr.

• School Harvard University
• High School Sheffield Scientific School

• Born September 9, 1887 in Cleveland, OH USA
• Died August 19, 1962 in Cleveland, OH USA

Biographical Information

Mike Wilson was the principal owner of the Cleveland Indians from December 18, 1952, when he was installed as team President when other minority owners had a falling-out with majority owner Ellis Ryan; his ownership share was only 3%, but he was someone acceptable to both sides of the rift between Ryan and his partners. The principal owners at the time were two brothers, both investment bankers, Charles and Andy Baxter, who did not take any role in managing the club. Even Wilson was largely a figurehead in spite of his title, with real control being exercised by General Manager Hank Greenberg, who was named by Commissioner Ford Frick along with Pittsburgh Pirates owner John Galbreath to negotiate a new pension deal with the players in 1953. The Baxters' shares were acquired by William R. Daley in 1956 but Wilson stayed in the position of team President until his death at 74 in 1962.

The Indians were a very successful team during his tenure, both on the field and in terms of profits, but most of the credit must go to Greenberg given Wilson's passive role. One of his few gestures was persuading manager Al Lopez to stay on board when he had a falling out with Greenberg (he would finally quit after the 1956 season, citing irreconcilable differences with Greenberg, who by then was a part-owner as part of Daley's group). A year later, it was Greenberg's turn to be ousted, replaced by Frank Lane, who was also given a free hand in running the club. Lane soon wore out his welcome with a frantic series of trades, many of them quite unpopular with the fan base. Meanwhile, Greenberg tried to buy out the team by re-enlisting the Baxter brothers, but when that failed, sold out his shares. Lane soon departed in turn, joining the Kansas City Athletics and the franchise was left pretty much rudderless until Gabe Paul was named GM in 1961. Paul would soon become a co-owner as well and was effectively running the team when Wilson passed away.

A native of Cleveland, OH, he was a businessman and insurance executive.

Further Reading

• David Bohmer: "Cleveland Indians team ownership history", Team Ownership History Project, SABR. [1]