Major League Baseball Executive. Born John A. Zeller in Texas, he was a very influential pioneer of the Minor League Professional Baseball system and helped establish clubs with Major League Baseball. In the early 1900's, he served as manager and owner of the Minor League Connecticut Springfield Ponies and later owned the Pittsfield in the Eastern Association. He joined the American League Detroit Tigers as a scout in 1925 and served as a scout and supervisor in the Tigers organization until 1938, when he was appointed General Manager of the Detroit Tigers. As General Manager, he believed that the farm system needed to be overhauled and is credited with developing the Tigers' Minor League organization. In 1945, he left office as General Manager of the Detroit Tigers and joined the Boston Braves as chief scout in 1947. He died of a heart condition at the age of 85.
Major League Baseball Executive. Born John A. Zeller in Texas, he was a very influential pioneer of the Minor League Professional Baseball system and helped establish clubs with Major League Baseball. In the early 1900's, he served as manager and owner of the Minor League Connecticut Springfield Ponies and later owned the Pittsfield in the Eastern Association. He joined the American League Detroit Tigers as a scout in 1925 and served as a scout and supervisor in the Tigers organization until 1938, when he was appointed General Manager of the Detroit Tigers. As General Manager, he believed that the farm system needed to be overhauled and is credited with developing the Tigers' Minor League organization. In 1945, he left office as General Manager of the Detroit Tigers and joined the Boston Braves as chief scout in 1947. He died of a heart condition at the age of 85.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
