Twice owner of the Chicago White Sox, as well as
the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis Browns, and
the minor league Milwaukee Brewers, Bill Veeck
believed that any team that relied solely on
baseball purists for its patronage would "go out of
business by Mother's Day."

With this in mind, Veeck became the “Fan’s Owner.” He created the exploding scoreboard at Comiskey Park, let fans manage his teams, put a shower in the bleachers, started "Bat Day," and gave away 10,000 cupcakes -- to a single fan.

Veeck integrated the American League in 1947, signing Larry Doby and later Satchel Paige to complete the Cleveland team that would win the 1948 World Series. His White Sox won their first pennant in 40 years in 1959. A voracious reader, he wrote three bestsellers, starting in 1962 with his autobiography, Veeck as in Wreck.

Veeck was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He and his wife, Mary Frances, lived here at 1380 East Madison Park.