Andrew Freedman

Andrew Freedman
Born (1860-09-01)September 1, 1860
New York City, U.S.
Died December 4, 1915(1915-12-04) (aged 55)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality American

Andrew Freedman (September 1, 1860 – December 4, 1915) was an American businessman. Freedman was the owner of the New York Giants of the National League from 1895 through 1902. Freedman was also director of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and the Wright Company. He died in New York City, the place of his birth.

Business career

Freedman took over the Manhattan Athletic Club, which fell into receivership in 1893, as its receiver.[1][2]

New York Giants

In 1895, Freedman became the principal owner of the New York Giants of the National League (NL), purchasing a controlling interest in the club from Cornelius C. Van Cott for approximately $53,000 ($1,507,532 in current dollar terms).[3] During his ownership of the team, Freedman drew the ire of many of his players for various fines and abuses. In one incident, star pitcher Amos Rusie sat out the entire 1896 season during a feud with Freedman.[4][5] NL presidential candidate Al Spalding called Freedman an "impossibility in baseball",[6] demanding that Freedman retire from the game.[7][8] Freedman refused.[9]

With the financial backing of John T. Brush, principal owner of the Cincinnati Reds, Freedman purchased controlling interest in the Baltimore Orioles of the rival American League (AL) on July 17, 1902.[10] The Orioles were in significant debt, reportedly owing $12,000 ($328,200 in current dollar terms).[10][11] As a result, part-owner and team president John Mahon purchased shares in the team from players John McGraw, Joe Kelley, and Wilbert Robinson, becoming principal shareholder of the Orioles.[10] Mahon, with the controlling interest in the Orioles, comprising 201 of the team's 400 total shares,[12] sold his shares to Freedman.[10]

In the day Freedman owned the franchise, he released the Orioles' best players from their contracts so that they could be signed by their NL teams: Kelley and Cy Seymour signed with the Reds, while Joe McGinnity, John McGraw, Roger Bresnahan, Dan McGann, and Jack Cronin signed with the Giants.[13][14] AL president Ban Johnson, along with minority owners of the Orioles, took control of the Orioles franchise, which had to forfeit their game that day as they did not have enough players.[10][15]

Following the 1902 season, Freedman sold the Giants to Brush.[16]

Out of baseball

Freedman owned an ice yacht, named "Haze", which won a pennant race in North Shrewsbury, New Jersey.[17]

Freedman was director of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT).[18] He first became involved in IRT when John B. McDonald sought to include Freedman.[19] Freedman reported that he invested $1.7 million ($46,495,000 in current dollar terms) in the company in 1901 and 1902.[19]

Freedman served on the board of directors of the Wright Company, established in 1909 to market the Wright brothers' airplanes in the United States.[20]

Andrew Freedman Home

The Andrew Freedman Home

When Freedman died, his estate was worth over $4 million ($93,565,789 in current dollar terms). Samuel Untermyer served as executor of his estate.[18][21]

In his will, Freedman bequeathed money to build the Andrew Freedman Home at 1125 Grand Concourse in The Bronx. The home was intended to serve as a retirement home.[21] Plans were filed in 1922 to build the home as a four-story brick building, with the cost of construction estimated at $500,000 ($7,068,588 in current dollar terms).[22] The building cost approximately $1 million ($13,807,767 in current dollar terms) and opened in 1924.[23] The Andrew Freedman Home was named a New York City Designated Landmark in 1992.[24]

References

  1. ↑ MR. FREEDMAN A MAGNATE – Will Probably Own the New-York Baseball Club. NEGOTIATIONS NOW IN PROGRESS To Control the Majority of Stock and Personally Supervise the Management of. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ Will Not Close Its Doors. – Manhattan Athletic Club To Continue Under A Receiver. – Article – Nytimes.Com. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  3. ↑ Mr. Freedman Now Controls – Has Acquired Majority of Stock of the New-York Baseball Club. – Article – NYTimes.com. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  4. ↑ Rusie'S Appeal Is Not Sustained. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  5. ↑ Rusie Case Is Ended At Last. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ Bridgeport Herald – Google News Archive Search
  7. ↑ SPALDING PRESIDENT OF BASEBALL LEAGUE – He Declares that Freedman Must Retire from Baseball. – Article – NYTimes.com. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  8. ↑ Youngstown Vindicator – Google News Archive Search
  9. ↑ Freedman Not Going Out – He Scorns to Take Seriously Spalding's Utterances to Retire. Hanlon to Manage New Yorks: He Agrees to Leave the Brooklyn Club for This City on a Two Ye. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Keenan, Jimmy. "Joe Kelley". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  11. ↑ The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search
  12. ↑ LATEST BASEBALL DEAL – Freedman Practically Buys Baltimore American League Team. PLAYERS TO JOIN NEW YORKS Ban Johnson to Organize Another Club to Take Place of McGraw's Forme. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  13. ↑ Baltimore American - Google News Archive Search
  14. ↑ Dewey, Donald; Acocella, Nicholas (2005). Total Ballclubs: The Ultimate Book of Baseball Teams. Sportclassic Books. p. 37. ISBN 1-894963-37-7.
  15. ↑ "Freedman Buys Baltimore Club: President, Mahon Sells Out American Magnates to National League. Players Go To New York: Ban Johnson Organizing New Club to Retain Maryland City in Circuit. Johnson Discusses the Deal". Chicago Daily Tribune. July 17, 1902. p. 6. Retrieved March 22, 2012. (subscription required)
  16. ↑ FREEDMAN QUITS BASEBALL – Sells His Interest in the New York Club to John T. Brush. – Article – NYTimes.com. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  17. ↑ ICE YACHTS IN PENNANT RACE. – The Wizard Wins Shrewsbury Trophy – Andrew Freedman's Boat Gets First-Class Prize. – View Article – NYTimes.com. New York Times (January 27, 1904). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  18. 1 2 THE MAYOR RETORTS – ASSAILS UNTERMYER – Hylan Calls Attorney a "Notorious Trust Organizer" and"Handy Man" of the Rich.BRAZEN, ARROGANT, HE SAYSCharges the "Traction Twins", Sa. New York Times (November 1, 1921). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  19. 1 2 JUSTIFY BELMONT'S INTERBOROUGH FEE – Andrew Freedman and W.G. Oakland of 1902 Board Say It Was a Bargain for Company. – View Article – NYTimes.com. New York Times (October 3, 1913). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Big Men of Finance Back the Wrights", New York Times, November 23, 1909 (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  21. 1 2 UNTERMYER PASSES THE LIE TO HYLAN – Accuses Mayor of "More Falsehoods to the Square Inch" Than All Candidates in City's History. DEMANDS STAND ON TRANSIT Charges Hylan With Th. New York Times (November 2, 1921). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  22. ↑ File Plans for Andrew Freedman Home. – Article – NYTimes.com. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  23. ↑ DEDICATE A REFUGE FOR CULTURED POOR – Andrew Freedman Home, Which Cost $1,000,000, a New Idea in Philanthropy. AGED COUPLES NOT DIVIDED Are Maintained Together in Luxurious Su. Select.nytimes.com (April 8, 2012). Retrieved on April 19, 2012.
  24. ↑ Neighborhood Preservation Center (pdf). (PDF) . Retrieved on April 19, 2012.

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