CINCINNATI

William O. (Bill) DeWitt Sr. is a man who had a significant influence on the City of Cincinnati.  Bill was born in St. Louis in 1902, grew up and graduated law school there.  He went to work for the St. Louis Browns (American League) baseball organizations.  He worked in the front office the Browns and also had stints with the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.  

After the 1960 season, he got his big break - he got the job as general manager of the Cincinnati Reds; replacing Gabe Paul.  He had instant success as general manager.  The Reds won the National League Pennant in 1961 but lost to the Yankees in the World Series.  A few months later, he purchased the Reds from the Powell Crosley estate.  He was now owner and general manager.

On the one hand, in his six years here, Bill laid the groundwork for the Big Red Machine of the 1970's.  On the other, he made the most infamous trade in the history of the club - maybe all of baseball.  In 1965, he traded an "over-the-hill" Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles for a pitcher named Milt Pappas.  Robinson was soon a triple crown winner, the American League MVP and a member of a World Series Championship team.  You see, in 1970, the Reds won the National League pennant but lost to Robinson's Orioles.

Bill DeWitt died in Cincinnati in 1982.  His son, William O. DeWitt Jr. is currently the managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals.
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