George Weiss’ success in the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s is an important aspect of MLB history. He was very innovative, creating a scouting network coveted by others which brought the Yankees the best talent available year after year. George Weiss knew how to take advantage of the Yankees wealth and was extremely savvy in using it’s power against teams financially insecure baseball teams.

Weiss was also an important figure in the history of baseball’s labor relations. He never dealt with the players union because of the unfair way he treated his players. Weiss’ unfair treatment of his players helped set the stage for laws controlling freedom among players. Weiss operated during a period of time when the baseball rules and regulations heavily favored the owner. Weiss’ players had no other choice but to give in when it came down to negotiations with him. If Weiss wanted to, he could send a player a contract and if the player turned it down, his only other option was to retire because Weiss wouldn’t make a trade. Many Yankees hated Weiss but had very few options other than to accept what he offered to them.

Weiss always cast a shadow over what should have been a happy place to work. When the Yankees won the World Series, he would make his players fight for next year’s salary. In those days there were no agents, so when his player wanted to renegotiate his contract, Weiss would use a players’ weaknesses against them. Even their strengths were used against them. When the Yankees destroyed Philadelphia in the 1950 World Series, Weiss said that because the series was so short and money, he lost money and salaries would decrease the next year.

As the world changed around him, Weiss paid no attention to one of the most important issues in baseball, race. His prejudices simply blinded him. In the 1950s it was clear that Vic Power was one of the most talented players in their farm system, but Weiss did not like him because he was Puerto Rican. The Yankees also had a great shot at signing Ernie Banks, but since he was black, senior management said no. Even though New York would hold it’s own without a black player, they struggled terribly against the St.Louis Cardinals in the 1964 Series, a team that featured two of the best players in the league, Bob Gibson and Lou Brock, both were black. The Yankees were no match and they were beaten very badly.

Weiss was also hated by the press. He was dislike by many working reporters and in return, he hated them. Weiss treated the press like he treated his players, cold and without respect. He once said that he could buy off the press with a $5 steak, that’s just the kind of guy he was. The Yankees won a lot during Weiss’s reign as General Manager, but he was one of the shrewdest men ever to be associated with baseball.

- John A. Roberts

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tags | Baseball, Bob Gibson, George Weiss, Lou Brock, MLB, New York Yankees, Weiss