Wheeler Wyckoff

Wheeler C. Wyckoff
last name also spelled Wikoff

• Born March 4, 1856
• Died March 27, 1923

Biographical Information

Wheeler Wyckoff was the second president of the American Association, acceding to the position on March 22, 1886 when Denny McKnight was voted out due to his handling of the Sam Barkley case (he had allowed Barkley's signing by the Pittsburgh Alleghenies to go ahead even though other team owners considered that he was still under contract to his previous club).

Wyckoff had been a low-profile character before his elevation to the A.A. presidency, serving as the league's secretary. He had previously been the baseball editor of the Columbus Sunday News of Columbus, OH. He was not a strong leader and quickly earned the enmity of St. Louis Browns owner Chris Von der Ahe, who liked to cut a wide swath and who tried to organize a coup to oust him in turn at the 1887 league meetings. However, Von der Ahe was unable to raise a quorum of other disgruntled owners, and was therefore unable to get rid of Wyckoff. He stayed on until 1890, when he was replaced by Zach Phelps, a former President of the Louisville Colonels.

Little is known about Wyckoff apart from his holding these executive positions.

Related Sites

• Find-a-Grave memorial for Wheeler Wikoff