Morgan Bulkeley
Inducted:
1937
Personal Details
Born:
December 26, 1837
East Haddam, Connecticut, U.S.
Died:
November 6, 1922
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Position:
Executive (Governor/Mayor)
Morgan Bulkeley was a pivotal figure in baseball history, serving as the first president of the National League (1876). A businessman and politician, Bulkeley played a crucial role in establishing professional baseball as an organized and respected sport.
His leadership helped solidify the league’s structure, setting the foundation for Major League Baseball.
Although his tenure as league president lasted only one year, Bulkeley’s impact was lasting. He later became the Governor of Connecticut and a U.S. Senator, showcasing his influence beyond the baseball world.
In recognition of his contributions to the game, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 as a pioneer of the sport.
Bulkeley's Awards and Records
- Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee (1937, Pioneer Category)
- First President of the National League (1876)
- Helped establish baseball as a structured professional league
- Served as Governor of Connecticut (1889–1893)
- S. Senator from Connecticut (1905–1911)
Career
United States Senator from Connecticut
(March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1911)
54th Governor of Connecticut
(January 10, 1889 – January 4, 1893)
25th Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
(April 5, 1880 – April 2, 1888)
1st President of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs
(February 2, 1876 – December 7, 1876)