King of Baseball


King of Baseball is a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball. The title was first awarded in 1951. The winner is announced at the annual Winter Meetings awards banquet and is typically presented with an inscribed bat, as well as a crown and robe symbolizing the winner's "king" status.

Winners

YearAward winnerWinter Meetings site
1951Clarence "Pants" RowlandColumbus, OH
1952J. Alvin GardnerPhoenix, AZ
1953Frank "Shag" ShaughnessyAtlanta, GA
1954Shelby PeaseHouston, TX
1955Herman WhiteColumbus, OH
1956Tommy RichardsonJacksonville, FL
1957Charles HurthColorado Springs, CO
1958Washington, D.C.
1959Bonneau PetersSt. Petersburg, FL
1960Joe EngelLouisville, KY
1961Rosy RyanTampa, FL
1962Phil HowserRochester, NY
1963Donie BushSan Diego, CA
1964Eddie MulliganHouston, TX
1965Ray WinderFt. Lauderdale, FL
1966Eddie LeishmannColumbus, OH
1967Alejo PeraltaMexico City, Mexico
1968Dewey SorianoSan Francisco, CA
1969Chauncey DeVaultFt. Lauderdale, FL
1970George MacDonald, Sr.Los Angeles, CA
1971Phil PitonPhoenix, AZ
1972Vince McNamaraHonolulu, HI
1973Ray JohnstonHouston, TX
1974Fred HaneyNew Orleans, LA
1975Joe BuzasHollywood, FL
1976Don AveryLos Angeles, CA
1977Bill WeissHonolulu, HI
1978Zinn BeckOrlando, FL
1979Harry SimmonsToronto, Ont., Canada
1980Billy HitchcockDallas, TX
1981Jack SchwarzHollywood, FL
1982Sy BergerHonolulu, HI
1983Oscar RoettgerNashville, TN
1984Donald DavidsonHouston, TX
1985Stan WasiakSan Diego, CA
1986Lefty GomezHollywood, FL
1987Bill SchweppeDallas, TX
1988Max PatkinAtlanta, GA
1989George Sisler Jr.Nashville, TN
1990John MossLos Angeles, CA
1991George PfisterMiami Beach, FL
1992Johnny LiponLouisville, KY
1993George KissellAtlanta, GA
1994Jim BraganDallas, TX
1995Gene DaCosseLos Angeles, CA
1996Sheldon "Chief" BenderBoston, MA
1997Max SchumacherNew Orleans, LA
1998Leo PinckneyNashville, TN
1999Tom SaffellAnaheim, CA
2000P. Patrick McKernanDallas, TX
2001Roland HemondBoston, MA
2002George ZurawNashville, TN
2003Bob WilsonNew Orleans, LA
2004Dave RosenfieldAnaheim, CA
2005Calvin FalwellDallas, TX
2006Paul SnyderOrlando, FL
2007Dave WalkerNashville, TN
2008Pat GillickLas Vegas, NV
2009Milo HamiltonIndianapolis, IN
2010Don MincherOrlando, FL
2011Cuauhtemoc "Chito" RodriguezDallas, TX
2012George McGonagleNashville, TN
2013Charlie EshbachLake Buena Vista, FL
2014Bill ValentineSan Diego, CA
2015William "Bill" GladstoneNashville, TN
2016David G. ElmoreNational Harbor, MD
2017Lee LandersOrlando, FL
2018Mike TamburroLas Vegas, NV
2019Bob LozinakSan Diego, CA