George Weiss

Profession: Baseball Hall of Fame Executive

Nationality:

Biography: George Weiss was an American baseball executive best known for his role as the general manager of the New York Yankees from 1947 to 1960 and then as the first president of the New York Mets from 1961 to 1966.

Under his tenure, the Yankees solidified their reputation as a baseball dynasty, winning seven World Series titles and ten American League pennants. Weiss was known for his shrewd management style, including his ability to cultivate a strong farm system—in which a subsidiary team is established to nurture promising players—which brought a steady stream of young talent to the Yankees roster. This strategy was crucial in building and maintaining the team's dominance during that period.

His time with the Mets was marked by the challenge of building a new franchise from the ground up. The Mets struggled in their early years, but Weiss was instrumental in laying the foundation for what would become a competitive team in the late 1960s and beyond, which eventually led to the Mets' "Miracle" World Series win in 1969, though this was after Weiss had left the organization.

Weiss was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971 for his significant contributions to the game. His legacy in baseball management remains significant to this day, particularly his innovations in the areas of team-building and player development.

Born: June 23, 1894
Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: August 13, 1972 (aged 78)