Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Inducted:
1944
Personal Details
Born:
November 20, 1866
Millville, Ohio, U.S.
Died:
November 25, 1944
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Position:
Executive
College:
NA
Kenesaw Mountain Landis served as Major League Baseball’s first Commissioner from 1920 to 1944. Appointed in the aftermath of the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, Landis restored public confidence in baseball with his strict governance and uncompromising decisions.
Known for his firm leadership, he wielded almost absolute authority, banning players involved in gambling and maintaining the sport’s integrity. Before his MLB role, Landis was a federal judge, famous for taking on large corporations.
Though controversial for his resistance to integrating baseball during his lifetime, his role in preserving the sport’s reputation was undeniable. Landis remained Commissioner until his death in 1944, setting the foundation for the modern era of professional baseball.
His legacy is a mix of strong leadership and complex social views, but his impact on the game’s survival and growth is profound and lasting.
Landis's Awards and Records
- First Commissioner of Major League Baseball (1920–1944)
- Preserved MLB’s integrity after the 1919 Black Sox Scandal
- Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1944)
- Longest-serving Commissioner in MLB history (24 years)
- Banned eight Chicago White Sox players for life over gambling allegations
- Strengthened the office of the Commissioner with unprecedented authority
- Credited with helping baseball survive during the Great Depression
- Oversaw the growth and popularity of the World Series
MLB Career Profile:
As Executive
Position:
First Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Tenure:
1920–1944 (24 years)
World Series overseen:
24
MLB Seasons Overseen:
25
Lifetime Bans Issued:
Over 20 players and officials