THE 11TH PRESIDENT (2008-current)

O'Conner brings plenty of experience to Minor Leagues

Pat O'Conner

Pat O’Conner was elected president of Minor League Baseball in December 2007 after serving as Minor League Baseball's Chief Operating Officer since 1993 and Vice President of Administration since 1995.

O’Conner replaced Mike Moore, with whom he worked for 14 years during a period when Minor League Baseball saw staggering increases in revenue among its 160 teams and set new attendance records in each of the last four years.

During his opening-session speech at the 2007 Winter Meetings in Nashville, O’Conner spoke of some of his plans for the future. “We need to develop a comprehensive plan to deal with digital assets and vigorously pursue marketing opportunities.” He also spoke of the need to address areas such as liability insurance, workers’ compensation and medical coverage for employees.  More >

THE 10TH PRESIDENT (1992-2007)

Major Changes... Major Success Under Moore

Mike Moore

When Mike Moore took over leadership of Minor League Baseball as the 10th President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL), he hit the ground running--and then some. On his first day in office, he took the first step toward a major makeover of the leadership of Minor League Baseball. It was a step that many feel is the most important change to the organization since it was formed in 1901.

Moore called for a constitutional convention in Dallas six weeks later to consider revisions to the National Association Agreement (NAA), the bylaws that define the relationship between the NA and its member leagues. It was an agreement that had changed little since the NA first began.  More >

THE 9TH PRESIDENT (1988-1991)

A Time of Prosperity and Turmoil...A Time of Change

Sal Artiaga

Sal Artiaga’s term as the ninth president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) was a time of considerable prosperity for Minor League Baseball and a time of considerable turmoil, as well. Which means, of course, that it was a time of change for the industry.

Attendance was growing dramatically, attaining levels that had not been approached in nearly 40 years. Franchise values were soaring and were being purchased for investment and profit rather than being taken over as a civic responsibility. But the rules of operation were being altered and many of those in the game were not ready for the changes.  More >

THE 8TH PRESIDENT (1979-1988)

Johnson’s Administrative Skills Sparked Minor Leagues

Johnny Johnson

Johnny Johnson never wore a professional baseball uniform, but when he was put in charge of Minor League Baseball as the eighth president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) it was a perfect fit. Johnson was elected to the post at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December, 1978, took over in January and served until his death in January, 1988.

Johnson’s strength was as an administrator, having honed his skills during 24 years with the New York Yankees, followed by an eight-year stint as a top assistant to Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Johnson knew the rules governing baseball operations backwards, forwards and upside down. And he knew how to apply them.  More >

THE 7TH PRESIDENT (1976-1978)

Bragan Left Office, Trade Show, Job Bureau as Legacies

Bobby Bragan

When Robert R. (Bobby) Bragan became the seventh president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) in 1976, making him the chief executive of Minor League Baseball, it was about the only job in baseball that he had not already held.

In a career dating back to 1937, Bragan had been a player at both the major league and minor league levels; a manager in both the major and minor leagues; a major league coach; a front office executive with two major league teams and served seven years as President of the Texas League.  More >

THE 6TH PRESIDENT 1972-1975

Hank Peters Brought Major League Background to NAPBL

Hank Peters

When Henry J. (Hank) Peters took over leadership of Minor League Baseball as the sixth president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, serving from 1972 through 1975, he had a background unlike any of his predecessors in the position. It was the first time in what was then the 70-year history of the organization to have a president whose baseball service had been almost exclusively in Major League Baseball, rather than in the Minor Leagues.

His election may have been a sign of the times. Perhaps the most important ingredient for Minor League success, during this period of fighting for survival, was to have a Player Development Contract with a Major League partner. In those days, not every Minor League team had such an affiliation to help pay the bills.  More >

THE 5TH PRESIDENT 1964-1971

Deep Background Let Piton Provide Stability

Phil Piton

When Phil Piton took over Minor League Baseball as the fifth President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, he was as well prepared to deal with the intricacies of the job as any man who ever had it.

Piton, who held the reins from 1964 until his retirement in 1971, had an intriguing resume. For 15 years, he served as a top aide to Baseball Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis, where he became an authority on operations, rules and legal procedures within the professional baseball industry.

He left that post for a time during World War II, but soon returned to baseball when George Trautman was elected as the National Association president in 1947. One of Trautman’s first acts was to hire Piton as his assistant. Piton added to his reputation as a top administrator in the game during his 16 years in the job. When Trautman died in June, 1963, Piton was the logical choice to succeed him and the membership voted him in at the Winter Meetings in San Diego that December.  More >

THE 4TH PRESIDENT 1947-1963

Trautman Took Minors Through Boom Times

George Trautman

Minor League Baseball was ready to explode when George M. Trautman was elected as the fourth President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues at the 1946 Winter Meetings in Los Angeles. He was a strong leader with a strong baseball background who was ready to help the industry take advantage of the coming boom years.

It was a time of peace and prosperity in America that followed the end of World War II. The troops had come home from Europe and the Pacific. Jobs and money were plentiful. Americans were looking for relaxation and entertainment. It was a time in baseball in which seemingly every city and town in the country had its own Minor League baseball team. There were players and fans in abundance.  More >

THE 3RD PRESIDENT 1933-1946

Bramham Helped Create Financial Stability Despite Great Depression

William Bramham

When Judge William Bramham took over as the third President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (Minor League Baseball) in 1933, he had the misfortune of staring squarely at the Great Depression that had a firm grip on all phases of U.S. life, including Minor League Baseball.

He treated it as an opportunity, instead of a misfortune, and provided the strong leadership that the industry needed to survive and eventually prosper, despite the turbulent financial times. After the infamous stock market crash of 1929, the game was in trouble. While 25 minor leagues were able to finish the 1929 season, that number dwindled to 21 in 1930 and 16 in 1932.  More >

THE 2ND PRESIDENT 1910-1932

Sexton Faced Many ‘Wars’ During Lengthy Term

Michael Sexton, Second President

When Patrick Powers resigned as President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) in 1909, it was an easy move to elect Michael Sexton to replace him. Powers and Sexton were considered the “fathers” of Minor League Baseball. They thought alike and acted alike and were in agreement on the path that the National Association should take.

Powers was President of the Eastern League (forerunner of the International) as well as the National Association. When his league, along with the American Association, threatened to withdraw from the NA over control issues, Powers did not agree, but was caught in the middle and resigned as NA president in mid-term.  More >

THE 1ST PRESIDENT 1901-1909

Patrick Powers Gave Credibility to Start of NAPBL

Patrick Powers, First President

The year 1901 was a time of war in the world of baseball and the various minor leagues were like innocent bystanders caught in the middle of a struggle between the National League, which pretty much controlled everything in the game in those days, and the fledgling American League, which was trying to muscle in on the territory.

But the presidents of seven of those minor leagues decided they could not stand by and get run over. It was time to stand up and be counted.

No one stood taller that Patrick T. Powers, President of the Eastern League and a man who knew his way around in the big time of baseball. When the group got together for the original organizing meeting in Chicago on Oct. 5, 1901, they wasted no time in selecting Powers as the first president.  More >