Dorothy Comiskey Rigney
Encyclopedia
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.
Rigney, wife of former White Sox pitcher
and executive Johnny Rigney
, was the eldest grandchild of Charles Comiskey
and inherited control of the White Sox upon the death of her mother, Grace Comiskey
.
For most of her tenure as owner, Dorothy was in a running battle for control of the team with her younger brother, Chuck
, who was the team's second-largest stockholder. When Dorothy put the team on the market after the 1958 season, she initially wanted to sell it to her brother. However, Chuck made such a lowball offer that Dorothy instead sold the White Sox to Bill Veeck
, ending the Comiskey family's 58-year control of the franchise.
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...
of 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...
from through . She is one of the few women to have served as principal owner of a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team.
Rigney, wife of former White Sox pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and executive 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...
, was the eldest grandchild of 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...
and inherited control of the White Sox upon the death of her 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,...
.
For most of her tenure as owner, Dorothy was in a running battle for control of the team with her younger brother, Chuck
Chuck Comiskey
Charles Albert Comiskey II 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....
, who was the team's second-largest stockholder. When Dorothy put the team on the market after the 1958 season, she initially wanted to sell it to her brother. However, Chuck made such a lowball offer that Dorothy instead sold the White Sox to 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...
, ending the Comiskey family's 58-year control of the franchise.