Tom Shibe

Thomas S. Shibe

• Born January 13, 1866 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died February 16, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA USA

Biographical Information

Tom Shibe, the son of Ben Shibe, was a co-owner of the Philadelphia Athletics and succeeded his father as team President upon his death in 1922, with his brother John Shibe serving as Vice-president. The team's other principal owner at the time was Connie Mack, who was the team's manager and de facto General Manager.

He had been involved in the team's affairs since it had joined the American League for its initial season in 1901, working alongside his father and when he passed away from a heart ailment in 1936 he was considered to be one the last few founders of the circuit to be still alive. Of course, Mack was another one, and would outlive him by two decades. He had himself bought stock in the team and had been named Vice-President while his father was still alive. He was also a partner in the A.J. Reach Company, founded by Albert Reach and publisher of the Reach Guide and manufacturer of the official baseballs used in the American League. He had helped design much of the manufacturing equipment used by the company.

Upon his death, his brother John succeeded him as club President, but illness would force him to resign within a few months and he died the following year. While their heirs inherited their stocks and would remain co-owners until the early 1950s, the Mack family ran the show by themselves henceforth.