George Trautman

George McNeal Trautman

• School Ohio State University

• Born January 11, 1890 in Bucyrus, OH USA
• Died June 25, 1963 in Columbus, OH USA

Biographical Information

George Trautman was president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues from 1947 till he died in 1963, holding the second longest term of anybody in that position. He was previously the president of the American Association. Trautman moved the office of the NA from Durham, NC to Columbus, OH. During Trautman’s early years, a new relationship was forged between the Major Leagues and the Minor Leagues. Territorial rights, which had been in dispute, were established so that if the Major Leagues took over a National Association city, compensation would be due to both the existing team and its league. That was to be an important issue in the next few years. Ohio State University played home baseball games at George M. Trautman Field for 32 years.

His brother Fred Trautman, pitched in one game in the Federal League in a pro career that lasted from 1912 to 1917.

• Head Coach: Men's Basketball Ohio State University 1919-1922
• President: Columbus Red Birds, American Association 1933-1935
• President: American Association 1936-1945
• Executive Vice-President: Detroit Tigers 1946-1947
• President: National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues 1947-1963