John Jachym
Encyclopedia
John James Jachym was an American
businessman, philanthropist, and sportsman. He was briefly (from December 1949 through June 22, 1950) a club owner in Major League Baseball
as a minority owner of the Washington Senators
of the American League
. Later in his career, he was active in Republican Party
politics and an important figure in (and a rare honorary member of) the Professional Golfers' Association.
. He graduated from high school in South Dayton, New York
, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1940 from the University of Missouri
. As a young newspaper reporter working in Jefferson City, Missouri
, Jachym became acquainted with legendary St. Louis Cardinals
executive Branch Rickey
, who became a key influence in his life. At the age of 22, Jachym became a part-time scout for Rickey's Cardinals.
However, Jachym's baseball and journalism careers were interrupted by World War II
. In 1941, Jachym enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
and rose to the field rank of captain. He saw combat at New Guinea
, New Britain and Guadalcanal
, earning a Silver Star
. At war's end he relocated to Jamestown, New York
, became a successful businessman, and — still in his 20s — purchased the local minor league baseball
franchise, the Jamestown Falcons
of the Class D PONY League. When he in turn sold the Falcons to the Major League Detroit Tigers
, he joined the Tiger front office as assistant director of minor league operations.
, a Philadelphia
grain dealer and longtime minority shareholder in the Washington Senators franchise, died. Representatives of his estate put Richardson's 40.4 percent (amounting to 7,851 shares) of the Washington club up for sale. Jachym, backed by Pennsylvania oil man Hugh Grant, purchased the outstanding stock for $70 per share ($549,570), becoming the second-largest shareholder in the Senators after the team's iconic president, Clark Griffith
, a Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
who owned 44 percent of the club.
Griffith, then 80 years of age, had controlled the fate of the Senators since , first as field manager
, then as club president. He was furious at the sale, believing that he had the right of first refusal on Richardson's stock. Jachym, who had hoped to become general manager
or treasurer of the Senators, was denied any executive role by the Griffith-dominated board of directors. Although his attorney was given a seat on the board, Jachym was refused that position as well. His suggestions — such as purchasing the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
to serve as the top farm team in Washington's notoriously weak minor league system, and opening a ticket office in downtown Washington, D.C.
— were ignored.
Finally, in June 1950, Jachym sold his shares to Washington insurance executive H. Gabriel Murphy, an ally of the Griffiths, at a profit estimated at between $80,000 and $100,000. Murphy then sold Clark Griffith the additional seven percent of stock that would give Griffith full control of the team, in exchange for the right to buy Griffith's stock should it ever come up for sale. (Griffith's adopted son Calvin
inherited the club in 1955, moved it to Minneapolis–St. Paul
after the season, and sold it to Carl Pohlad
in 1984.)
. He was a key financial advisor during the successful 1980 Presidential campaign of Ronald Reagan
, but declined the opportunity to return to Washington as a member of Reagan's administration. He remained in the sporting world, however, as an active supporter of the PGA, acting as the official American observer of multiple Ryder Cup
competitions and serving on the PGA Board of Directors from 1990–1992. In 1994, he was elected an honorary member of the PGA, one of only six men ever selected.
In retirement, Jachym maintained residences in Charlottesville, Virginia
, Chautauqua, New York
, and Golf, Florida
. He died from cancer
, aged 87, in Charlottesville and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, philanthropist, and sportsman. He was briefly (from December 1949 through June 22, 1950) a club owner in 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...
as a minority owner of the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
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...
. Later in his career, he was active in Republican Party
Republican Party
-Africa:*Republican Party *Republican Party *Republican Party -Asia:*Republican Party *Republican Party *Republican Party *Republican Party of Afghanistan*Republican Party of India...
politics and an important figure in (and a rare honorary member of) the Professional Golfers' Association.
Life and career
Jachym was born in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. He graduated from high school in South Dayton, New York
South Dayton, New York
South Dayton is a village in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 662 at the 2000 census.The Village of South Dayton lies within the Town of Dayton by the southwest corner of the town and less than a mile from the county line of Chautauqua County.- History :The community...
, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1940 from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. As a young newspaper reporter working in Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
, Jachym became acquainted with legendary St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
executive Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
, who became a key influence in his life. At the age of 22, Jachym became a part-time scout for Rickey's Cardinals.
However, Jachym's baseball and journalism careers were interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1941, Jachym enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and rose to the field rank of captain. He saw combat at New Guinea
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
, New Britain and Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal campaign
The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...
, earning a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. At war's end he relocated to Jamestown, New York
Jamestown, New York
Jamestown is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States. The population was 31,146 at the 2010 census.The City of Jamestown is adjacent to Town of Ellicott and is at the southern tip of Chautauqua Lake...
, became a successful businessman, and — still in his 20s — purchased the local minor league baseball
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...
franchise, the Jamestown Falcons
Jamestown Falcons
The Jamestown Falcons were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off from 1940 to 1972. They played in the PONY League from 1940 to 1956, and in the New York-Penn League in 1957 and from 1968 to 1972. Based in Jamestown, New York, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers from 1941 to...
of the Class D PONY League. When he in turn sold the Falcons to the Major League Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, he joined the Tiger front office as assistant director of minor league operations.
Rebuffed as part owner of Senators
In 1949, George H. RichardsonGeorge H. Richardson
George H. Richardson was, next to Clark Griffith, the principal owner of the Washington Senators from 1920 to 1949....
, a Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
grain dealer and longtime minority shareholder in the Washington Senators franchise, died. Representatives of his estate put Richardson's 40.4 percent (amounting to 7,851 shares) of the Washington club up for sale. Jachym, backed by Pennsylvania oil man Hugh Grant, purchased the outstanding stock for $70 per share ($549,570), becoming the second-largest shareholder in the Senators after the team's iconic president, Clark Griffith
Clark Griffith
Clark Calvin Griffith , nicknamed "the Old Fox", was a Major League Baseball pitcher, manager and team owner.-Biography:...
, a Baseball Hall of Fame 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...
who owned 44 percent of the club.
Griffith, then 80 years of age, had controlled the fate of the Senators since , first as field manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, then as club president. He was furious at the sale, believing that he had the right of first refusal on Richardson's stock. Jachym, who had hoped to become general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
or treasurer of the Senators, was denied any executive role by the Griffith-dominated board of directors. Although his attorney was given a seat on the board, Jachym was refused that position as well. His suggestions — such as purchasing the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
to serve as the top farm team in Washington's notoriously weak minor league system, and opening a ticket office in downtown Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
— were ignored.
Finally, in June 1950, Jachym sold his shares to Washington insurance executive H. Gabriel Murphy, an ally of the Griffiths, at a profit estimated at between $80,000 and $100,000. Murphy then sold Clark Griffith the additional seven percent of stock that would give Griffith full control of the team, in exchange for the right to buy Griffith's stock should it ever come up for sale. (Griffith's adopted son Calvin
Calvin Griffith
Calvin Robertson Griffith , born Calvin Robertson in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, was a Major League Baseball team owner...
inherited the club in 1955, moved it to Minneapolis–St. Paul
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
after the season, and sold it to Carl Pohlad
Carl Pohlad
Carl R. Pohlad was a successful financier and the owner of the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise from 1984 until his death in 2009.-Early life:...
in 1984.)
Business career
Out of baseball, but only 32 years of age, Jachym then forged a business career as an investment banker and, later, top executive with organizations based in Chicago and San DiegoSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. He was a key financial advisor during the successful 1980 Presidential campaign of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, but declined the opportunity to return to Washington as a member of Reagan's administration. He remained in the sporting world, however, as an active supporter of the PGA, acting as the official American observer of multiple Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
competitions and serving on the PGA Board of Directors from 1990–1992. In 1994, he was elected an honorary member of the PGA, one of only six men ever selected.
In retirement, Jachym maintained residences in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, Chautauqua, New York
Chautauqua, New York
Chautauqua is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, U.S. . The population was 4,666 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Chautauqua Lake. The traditional meaning remains 'bag tied in the middle'...
, and Golf, Florida
Golf, Florida
The Village of Golf is a village in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 260 at the 2010 census, and ranked as the 4th highest-income place in the United States. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
. He died from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, aged 87, in Charlottesville and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.