Chuck Comiskey
Encyclopedia
Charles Albert Comiskey II (November 19, 1925 - August 26, 2007) was part-owner of the Chicago White Sox
from to . A native of Chicago, Comiskey was the grandson of the team's founder, Charles Comiskey
.
Comiskey represented the great tradition of Comiskey family ownership of the White Sox. His father, Lou
, inherited the team after Charles Comiskey's death in 1931. When Lou died in 1939, ownership passed to his wife and Chuck's mother, Grace Comiskey
. Chuck joined the family business in 1948 and was appointed vice president. During his time in the White Sox front office, Comiskey played an important role in developing the minor league
system of the Go-Go Sox teams of the late 1950s, ultimately culminating with the team's winning the American League
championship in .
In 1956, Comiskey became co-general manager along with his brother-in-law Johnny Rigney
in replacement of Frank Lane
. His mother died later that year, and in her will split control of the team between Chuck and his older sister, Dorothy
. Chuck received a 46 percent stake, making him the team's second largest shareholder. However, Chuck felt the team was his birthright, and spent the next two years trying to wrest control of the team from his sister. After a lengthy court battle, Dorothy opted to sell the team to Chuck after the 1958 season. Believing that Dorothy wouldn't consider any offers from outside the family, Chuck made a fairly low offer. Dorothy, in a fit of pique, instead sold her 54 percent stake to a group headed by Bill Veeck
. Chuck refused to sell his interest, however, remaining as the largest single shareholder. This forced Veeck to incur over a million dollars in additional taxes.
In 1961 Veeck sold his stake to Arthur
and John Allyn
. Seeing a chance to finally gain control of the team, Comiskey sold his stock to a group headed by Chicago insurance magnate William Bartholomay
. Comiskey promised Bartholomay that he would be able to overwhelm the Allyns with an offer for total control, allowing him an opportunity to buy the team. However, the Allyns turned Bartholomay down. This ended the Comiskey family's 62-year involvement with the White Sox.
In the early 1970s, Comiskey owned and operated Carriage Transfer, a Hinsdale
taxi and limousine company. While baseball was no longer his profession, he remained a lifelong White Sox fan and season-ticket holder. He was nonetheless disappointed when Comiskey Park
, built by his grandfather in 1909 and synonymous with South Side baseball for eight decades, gave way to a new Comiskey Park in 1991; it was later renamed U.S. Cellular Field
. The name change did not diminish his enthusiasm when Chicago won the 2005 World Series
, the team's first championship since , when his grandfather was still in charge.
Comiskey died in Hinsdale at age 82.
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from to . A native of Chicago, Comiskey was the grandson of the team's founder, Charles Comiskey
Charles Comiskey
Charles Albert "The Old Roman" Comiskey was a Major League Baseball player, manager and team owner. He was a key person in the formation of the American League and later owned the Chicago White Sox...
.
Comiskey represented the great tradition of Comiskey family ownership of the White Sox. His father, Lou
J. Louis Comiskey
J. Louis Comiskey was the owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from through . Comiskey inherited the team from his father, Charles Comiskey, in 1931, and had worked for the White Sox since 1910. Control of the White Sox passed to Comiskey's widow, Grace Comiskey, upon his...
, inherited the team after Charles Comiskey's death in 1931. When Lou died in 1939, ownership passed to his wife and Chuck's mother, Grace Comiskey
Grace Comiskey
Grace Comiskey was the owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from through . Comiskey was the daughter-in-law of Charles Comiskey and inherited control of the White Sox upon the death of her husband J. Louis Comiskey. Control of the White Sox passed to Comiskey's daughter,...
. Chuck joined the family business in 1948 and was appointed vice president. During his time in the White Sox front office, Comiskey played an important role in developing the minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
system of the Go-Go Sox teams of the late 1950s, ultimately culminating with the team's winning the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
championship in .
In 1956, Comiskey became co-general manager along with his brother-in-law Johnny Rigney
Johnny Rigney
John Dungan Rigney was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox . Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Rigney batted and threw right-handed. A native of River Forest, Illinois, he was signed out of the University of St...
in replacement of Frank Lane
Frank Lane
Frank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
. His mother died later that year, and in her will split control of the team between Chuck and his older sister, Dorothy
Dorothy Comiskey Rigney
Dorothy Comiskey Rigney was the owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from through . She is one of the few women to have served as principal owner of a Major League Baseball team....
. Chuck received a 46 percent stake, making him the team's second largest shareholder. However, Chuck felt the team was his birthright, and spent the next two years trying to wrest control of the team from his sister. After a lengthy court battle, Dorothy opted to sell the team to Chuck after the 1958 season. Believing that Dorothy wouldn't consider any offers from outside the family, Chuck made a fairly low offer. Dorothy, in a fit of pique, instead sold her 54 percent stake to a group headed by Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
. Chuck refused to sell his interest, however, remaining as the largest single shareholder. This forced Veeck to incur over a million dollars in additional taxes.
In 1961 Veeck sold his stake to Arthur
Arthur Allyn, Jr.
Arthur Allyn, Jr. was the co-owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League with his brother John Allyn from through...
and John Allyn
John Allyn
John Allyn was the co-owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League with his brother Arthur Allyn, Jr. from through , and sole principal owner from through . In 1975, Allyn sold the club back to the person he and his brother had purchased it from in 1961, Bill Veeck.-References:*...
. Seeing a chance to finally gain control of the team, Comiskey sold his stock to a group headed by Chicago insurance magnate William Bartholomay
William Bartholomay
William C. Bartholomay is a Chicago executive who made his living in the insurance industry. In 1962 he was the leader of a consortioum who bought the Milwaukee Braves, a National League Baseball franchise, from the previous Braves owner Lou Perini....
. Comiskey promised Bartholomay that he would be able to overwhelm the Allyns with an offer for total control, allowing him an opportunity to buy the team. However, the Allyns turned Bartholomay down. This ended the Comiskey family's 62-year involvement with the White Sox.
In the early 1970s, Comiskey owned and operated Carriage Transfer, a Hinsdale
Hinsdale, Illinois
Hinsdale is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois; it is located partly in Cook County and mainly in DuPage County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 17,349 at the 2000 census. The town's ZIP code is 60521. The town has a rolling, wooded topography, with a quaint downtown and is a 30-minute...
taxi and limousine company. While baseball was no longer his profession, he remained a lifelong White Sox fan and season-ticket holder. He was nonetheless disappointed when Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games...
, built by his grandfather in 1909 and synonymous with South Side baseball for eight decades, gave way to a new Comiskey Park in 1991; it was later renamed U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...
. The name change did not diminish his enthusiasm when Chicago won the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
, the team's first championship since , when his grandfather was still in charge.
Comiskey died in Hinsdale at age 82.