White Sox co-owner Eddie Einhorn has passed away at age 80, reports Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times. MLBTR joins those around the league in celebrating Einhorn’s life and accomplishments. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, and fellow White Sox colleagues.
Einhorn was a forward-thinker in the sports television realm. He founded TVS Television Network which broadcast college basketball’s “Game of the Century” way back in 1968. Later, he had a key role in baseball’s first billion dollar TV deal.
While Jerry Reinsdorf has served as the public face of the White Sox ownership, Einhorn was active behind the scenes championing youth baseball programs which aired on MLB Network and MLB.com. According to Dan Evans (on Twitter), Einhorn helped to work on the original Wild Card concept too. Baseball America also dredged up a fun quote from 1984 regarding farm systems:
It’s an antiquated system we cannot afford. We’re taking 17-year-old kids with no real chance to make the majors just because we have to have them play catch with a few guys who do … we’re taking away their chances to go to college and get on with their lives. We’d be doing a social service by getting rid of the farm system as we know it.
Mr. SportsVision has died.
That really was the jettison that shot the Cubs into the stratosphere. People forget that for much their history the Sox out drew the Cubs. Harry Carray bolted for the northside…Ryno and 1984 happened and the rest is history.
Really maybe the only thing that can cracked that Cubs thing would be a newer north facing park for the Sox.
Really?? You think the White Sox out drew the Cubs for most of their history? What drugs are you on
I said much of their history, and especially during the 70s leading up to the Einhorn ownership. The idea that the Sox would have EVER out drew the Cubs would shock many people…its been awhile. You should reread before you get all in a bunch
“White Sox co-owner Eddie Einhorn has passed away at age 80, reports Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times. MLBTR joins those around the league in celebrating”
That is an unfortunate position for a line beak.
In all seriousness, it’s sad to hear this news. I’m sure he will be missed, and I will think of him whenever I hear fresh stories about teams inking their TV deals.
muuuust, resist urge to make Ace Ventura joke….RIP
Yeah, Einhorn might have been a little too forward thinking. Sox missed the boat when Harry bolted for Wrigley and WGN went national with the Cubs on cable. Cubs went national and Sox went to Joliet on sportsvision. He infamously called out Harry after the Sox clinched the 83 west title. We all know what happened in 84 and has continued on into today. Not saying I believe a tourist trap frat park is the essence of great baseball….but the Sox have suffered in some respect since Bill Veeck sold the team…of course…WHO hasn’t suffered from Veecks absence?
Bet its hitting Jerry, maybe… just maybe… he’ll regret not opening up the wallet for a better damn team this year since hes even older than Eddie.
Problem, though, really isn’t the wallet..its been the system