Books and articles about Ed Barrow

Ed Barrow was the man most responsible for the success of the New York Yankees between 1921 and 1945. With Barrow as general manager, the Yankees won 14 pennants and ten World Series, sweeping five of them. He achieved his foremost success by organizing and developing their farm system. After he became club president in 1939, he and George Weiss developed the Yankees into the most consistent pennant-winning organization in major league history.

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Barrow worked for two newspapers in Des Moines, IA, before moving east in 1890. He formed a partnership with baseball concessioner Harry Stevens, and they got the scoreboard and pop concessions at the Pirates' Exposition Park. In 1894 Barrow became manager and GM at Wheeling, WV (International League). In 1895 he acquired the Paterson, NJ franchise in the Atlantic League, signed Honus Wagner, and served as president of the circuit from 1897 to 1899. He then purchased a part interest of the Toronto (International League) club, became its manager, and won a pennant in 1902. The Detroit Tigers then made him their manager, but he resigned during 1904 following a dispute with the GM. When two unsuccessful years of managing in the minors followed, Barrow left baseball.

Barrow returned in 1910 as president of the Eastern League. He was named manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1918 and immediately led them to the World Championship. That season, he acknowledged Babe Ruth's prowess as a hitter by increasingly working the ace pitcher into the lineup as an outfielder. The Red Sox sold Ruth to the Yankees in 1920, and at the close of the season, Barrow became the Yankee GM. In 1921-23, the Yankees won their first three pennants.

The forceful, straightforward Barrow possessed an explosive temper and once challenged Babe Ruth to a fight. He exercised strict discipline as manager and executive. In 1937 and 1941, he was named TSN Major League Executive of the Year. When the Yankees were sold to Larry McPhail, Dan Topping, and Del Webb in 1945, Barrow became chairman of the board, but he retired two years later. He was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Committee on Baseball Veterans in 1953, the year he died. (JLE)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » October 28, 1904: After a 4th-place finish, the Cleveland Blues release Bill Armour and name Nap Lajoie manager. Armour takes over the Tigers, where Ed Barrow and Bobby Lowe split the season, as Detroit falls to 7th. » April 4, 1918: Determined not to be a wartime casualty, the International League reorganizes. The Richmond, Montreal, and Providence franchises are replaced by Binghamton, Jersey City, and Syracuse. Expenses are slashed, causing the resignation of president Ed Barrow, who will go on to greater glory with the Boston Red Sox. The IL will be the only minor league to play its full schedule this year. » September 29, 1920: The Yankees sign Red Sox manager Ed Barrow as business manager, completing the front office team that will build the game's most successful record. Hugh Duffy replaces Barrow in Boston. » October 29, 1920: The Yankees sign Red Sox manager Ed Barrow as business manager, completing the front office team that will build the game's most successful record. Hugh Duffy replaces Barrow in Boston. » December 15, 1920: The Yankees' Ed Barrow pries future Hall of Fame P Waite Hoyt, C Wally Schang, lefty Harry Harper, and IF Mike McNally from his former Boston team in exchange for 2B Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel, P Hank Thormahlen, OF Sammy Vick, and cash. » May 25, 1922: Babe Ruth is suspended one day and fined $200 for throwing dirt on ump George Hildebrand after being called out at 2B while trying to stretch a single in the 3rd. Babe then goes into the stands after a heckler and is restrained by GM Ed Barrow. On his way to the CF clubhouse Ruth gestures to another heckler in RF. Babe gets stripped of his title as team captain as a result. New York beats the visiting Nationals, 6–4. » February 2, 1930: The Yankees waive Leo Durocher out of the American League and sell him to the Reds. Whispered rumors, repeated by Urban Shocker in his 2001 autobiography, contend that Leo was stealing money and jewelry from his teammates. Allegedly, roommate Babe Ruth beat up Durocher after a theft of marked money confirmed his suspicions. The Yankees, according to Shocker, prevail on the rest of the AL to waive Durocher. [Another story has Durocher, in debt, asking for a $1,000 advance on his salary from Ed Barrow so he can pay a hotel bill. When Barrow turns him down, Leo curses him, and Barrow trades him the next day to the Reds.] » March 8, 1930: Babe Ruth signs a 2-year contract for $160,000 with New York. At $80,000 per year, he is the highest paid player of all time. When it is pointed out he is earning more money than the President of the United States, Ruth observes: "I had a better year than he did." Ed Barrow, Yankee GM, assures posterity, "No one will ever be paid more than Ruth." » January 13, 1939: Yankee owner Colonel Jacob Ruppert dies of phlebitis at age 71. On the 17th, Ed Barrow is elected president to succeed Colonel Ruppert. » July 27, 1953: Dizzy Dean and Al Simmons are inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Along with them, the veterans committee enshrines Chief Bender, Bobby Wallace, 19th-century manager Harry Wright, executive Ed Barrow, and umpires Bill Klem and Tom Connolly.