Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Team Owner. Born in Freiburg, Germany, he emigrated to America in 1881, enjoyed the game of baseball and organized amateur baseball teams first for the distillery workers, then semi-pro clubs around Louisville. In 1890, he obtained part ownership of the Louisville Colonels, then a Major League team in the American Association and in 1899, he acquired full ownership of the Pittsburgh Pirates National League team. During his 32 year (1900-32), reign as president and general manager of the Pirates, he built the first modern steel-frame tripletier stadium, Forbes Field, in 1909 and is credited as the innovator who created baseball's World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates finished in the first division 26 times, winning six pennants in (1901-03, 1909, 1925, 1927) and the World Series in 1909 and 1925. Dreyfuss was also a pioneer in professional football, as co-owner and manager of the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, winners of the pro football championship in 1898. He died at age 66 in New York City and at the time of his death, was vice president of the National League. In 1979, he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Team Owner. Born in Freiburg, Germany, he emigrated to America in 1881, enjoyed the game of baseball and organized amateur baseball teams first for the distillery workers, then semi-pro clubs around Louisville. In 1890, he obtained part ownership of the Louisville Colonels, then a Major League team in the American Association and in 1899, he acquired full ownership of the Pittsburgh Pirates National League team. During his 32 year (1900-32), reign as president and general manager of the Pirates, he built the first modern steel-frame tripletier stadium, Forbes Field, in 1909 and is credited as the innovator who created baseball's World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates finished in the first division 26 times, winning six pennants in (1901-03, 1909, 1925, 1927) and the World Series in 1909 and 1925. Dreyfuss was also a pioneer in professional football, as co-owner and manager of the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, winners of the pro football championship in 1898. He died at age 66 in New York City and at the time of his death, was vice president of the National League. In 1979, he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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