Michael H. Sexton

Michael Henry Sexton (October 16, 1863 – January 18, 1937) was an American baseball executive, whose most significant role was as president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues from 1910 through 1932. Early life, police career Born in Rock Island, Illinois, on October 16, 1863, Sexton served as police chief in his hometown from 1893 to 1895. Baseball Local organizer Sexton later became a partner in the Rock Island Steam Laundry and Towel Supply Company located downtown, where he was known affectionately as "Mr. Baseball" for his passion for the sport and his efforts to establish organized local baseball clubs. Sexton served as president of the Three-I League from 1901 to 1904, and returned in 1909. Sexton also was the president of the Western League from 1902 to 1904, and later became the founder of a restarted Mississippi Valley League in 1922, serving as its president from 1922 to 1924, and again in 1927.

President of the NAPBL At the Winter Meetings in 1909, Sexton was chosen to replace Patrick T. Powers as president of the NAPBL, a position Sexton held for 24 years, while collaborating to establish the system during his lengthy term.

Powers and his successor Sexton have been considered the fathers of Minor League Baseball, as they thought alike and acted alike, and were in agreement on the path that the NAPBL should take.

Stand against the Federal League But there were more conflicts ahead for Sexton to confront. The first occurred in 1914, when the outlaw Federal League challenged the established National and American Leagues by raiding their rosters and territories in an effort to become a third Major League circuit. As expected, the incursion took their toll on the top Minor Leagues, as the Federal League also raided top NAPBL teams. Then some radical delegates at the Winter Meetings in 1914 tried to push the NAPBL to desert organized baseball and align with the Federal League. In a clever tactical move, Sexton led the group to take a stand, and passed a strong resolution backing the existing NAPBL agreements with the National and American Leagues.