Helene Hathaway Britton

Helene Hathaway Britton (née Robison; January 30, 1879 – January 8, 1950) was an American baseball executive. She owned the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League, and was the first woman to own a Major League Baseball franchise.

Helene Hathaway Britton
Britton in 1915
Born(1879-01-30)January 30, 1879
Cleveland, Ohio, US
DiedJanuary 8, 1950(1950-01-08) (aged 70)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Known forOwner of the St. Louis Cardinals (1911–1917)
Spouses
  • Schuyler P. Britton
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1901; div. 1917)​
  • Charles S. Bigsby
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1918; died 1935)​
Family

Britton was born and raised in Cleveland. Her father Frank and uncle Stanley Robison owned the Cardinals. After her uncle's death in 1911, Britton inherited the team from him. Despite receiving pressure to sell the team, Britton maintained ownership of the franchise until financial pressures led her to sell the team in 1917.

Early life

Britton was born on January 30, 1879, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Frank DeHass Robison and Sarah Carver Hathaway. She was raised in Bratenahl, Ohio. Frank and his brother, Stanley Robison, owned a streetcar business in Cleveland as well as the Cleveland Spiders, a baseball team in the National League. Britton was raised as a baseball fan. In 1899, the Robison brothers purchased another National League team, the St. Louis Cardinals, and shifted their best players from Cleveland to St. Louis. The National League eliminated the Spiders after the 1899 season. Afterwards, Britton traveled with her father and uncle on their business trips to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals.[1]

Britton was educated at the Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.[2] She married Schuyler P. Britton, an attorney, on October 29, 1901. They had a son, Frank DeHaas Britton, and a daughter, Marie R. Britton.[1]

Owner of the St. Louis Cardinals

1911–1913
Britton in 1911

Britton's father died in 1908,[3] and her uncle died in March 1911. He left Britton three-fourths of his estate, while the other one-fourth went to Britton's mother. Britton became the owner of the Cardinals,[4] making her the first woman to own a Major League Baseball team.[2] Robison named Frederick N. Abercrombie, the treasurer of the Cardinals, as the executor of his will, but Abercrombie challenged the will in court as he wanted Robison's purported original will to stand instead.[5] The will went into probate and Edward E. Steininger, the president of the Cardinals, was made administrator of the estate. Britton had supported Steininger over Abercrombie.[6]

Both Chicago businessman Charles Weeghman and James McGill, the president of the Denver Bears of the Western League,[7] attempted to buy the Cardinals from Britton,[8] but she resolved to keep the team.[1] Britton attended National League meetings where other owners spent time trying to persuade her to sell the team because she was a woman.[9]

Britton renamed the team's ballpark from League Park to Robison Field in honor of her uncle in 1911,[10] and initiated a Ladies' Day promotion for Mondays, allowing women free entry to the park if accompanied by a man.[11] The Cardinals had a strong season in 1911, and Britton signed player-manager Roger Bresnahan to a five-year contract worth $10,000 per season (approximately $314,000 in current dollar terms) with additional profit sharing in September.[12] However, the 1912 season started off with Bresnahan moving the team's spring training location without consulting Britton.[13] Britton and Bresnahan attacked each other publicly. Britton said under oath during her testimony that Bresnahan had offered her $500,000 (approximately $15.16 million in current dollar terms) to buy the team,[14] and accused him of not trying to win to hasten her selling the team.[15] Bresnahan was upset with Britton when she vetoed a trade that he arranged that would have sent Miller Huggins to the Chicago Cubs.[16] Britton fired Bresnahan after the 1912 season.[17] Bresnahan then petitioned the National Baseball Commission for the remaining salary on his contract, which Britton refused to pay.[18] Britton hired Huggins, the team's second baseman, as the Cardinals' new player-manager.[19] Britton and Bresnahan settled their dispute for $20,000 (approximately $606,000 in current dollar terms).[20]

National League owners at the December 1911 league meeting

In April 1912, Britton and her mother sought an injunction against Steininger, who had been making decisions against Britton's wishes and not sharing all details of the business with her.[21] Britton won the suit and acquired full control of the Cardinals in May 1912.[22] Steininger resigned from the Cardinals in June[23] and Britton appointed local attorney James C. Jones as team president.[24] In February 1913, Schuyler P. Britton was elected team president and Helene Britton was elected vice president.[25] However, Helene Britton continued to control the team through her husband.[1]

1914–1917

The debut of the St. Louis Terriers of the upstart Federal League in 1914 harmed attendance and revenues for the Cardinals.[26][27] As the leagues began to discuss a peace agreement in 1915, offers to purchase the Cardinals resumed.[28] At the league meetings in January 1916, where the peace agreement between the major leagues and the Federal League was established, Harry Ford Sinclair offered Britton $200,000 for the team (approximately $5,379,000 in current dollar terms), but she declined.[29] A local syndicate offered Britton $375,000 (approximately $10.08 million in current dollar terms) for the team and ballpark in February 1916, but Britton reportedly wanted $400,000 (approximately $10.76 million in current dollar terms).[30]

Britton separated from her husband in November 1916 and filed for divorce a few days later.[31] Her husband resigned as team president and the board of directors elected Britton to succeed him in the role.[32] In divorce court, Britton testified that her husband had "squandered her means to such an extent that her property was imperiled". The divorce was granted in February 1917, with the court awarding her custody of their two children.[33]

By December 1916, Britton was willing to sell the Cardinals, if a buyer met her desired price.[34][35] The conditions at Robison Field deteriorated to the point that a member of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen sent an open letter to National League president John K. Tener to seek his intervention.[36] Britton rejected an offer made by a local syndicate for $250,000 in December 1916 (approximately $6.72 million in current dollar terms).[37] In March 1917, James C. Jones, now a trustee for the Cardinals, put together a syndicate that began to raise money to buy the Cardinals.[38] and paid Britton $25,000 (approximately $571,000 in current dollar terms) for a sixty-day option.[39] They agreed on a price of $350,000 (approximately $7.99 million in current dollar terms) and the syndicate paid half to Britton in May.[40] Branch Rickey took over as team president from Britton.[41] The team was $175,000 in debt (approximately $4 million in current dollar terms) when Rickey took over.[42]

Britton at Robison Field with her two children

Later life

After selling the Cardinals, Britton moved to Boston, Massachusetts. She married Charles S. Bigsby, who sold electrical appliances, on August 19, 1918.[1][43] Bigsby died in 1935. In her later life, Britton lived in New York City and Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.[1][2]

Britton died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after a three-month illness on January 8, 1950. She was interred at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland.[2][44]

See also

References
  1. Thomas, Joan M. "Helene Britton". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  2. "Mrs. Bigsby, Owned Baseball Club, 71. First Woman to Head Major Team, St. Louis Cardinals, Dies. Sold Out in 1917". The New York Times. January 10, 1950. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  3. "F. De Hass Robinson Dead". Evening Star. September 26, 1908. p. 10. Retrieved March 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Robison's Niece, Mrs. Britton, Is Cardinal Owner". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 28, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "May Oust Woman Owner Of Cards". The Cincinnati Post. United Press. June 21, 1911. p. 6. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "St. Louis Judge Refused To Quash Writ of Mandamus Asked By Fred Abercrombie". The Cincinnati Enquirer. February 6, 1912. p. 6. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Denver Man Wants St. Louis Club". The New York Times. April 2, 1911. p. 4. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Handy Andy (March 31, 1911). "C. Weeghman Has Busy Day". Chicago Tribune. p. 23. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Hummel, Rick (November 17, 2016). "Cardinals' female owner featured in 'Women of Baseball' exhibit". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  10. "It's "Robison Field" Now". The Pittsburgh Press. September 16, 1911. p. 9. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Robison Field Free To Women Monday". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 11, 1912. p. 17. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Roger Bresnahan Gets Long Term Contract to Manage Cardinals". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. September 14, 1911. p. 13. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. O'Connor, W.J. (October 22, 1912). "Bresnahan Fired: Earned $227,000 For Team Owner". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 16. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Roger Bresnahan Wants St. Looey". El Paso Herald. May 3, 1912. p. 9. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Roger Bresnahan Appeals To Commission". Knoxville Sentinel. May 22, 1912. p. 12. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. O'Connor, W.J. (August 15, 1912). "Mrs. Britton Puts Stop To Roger's Trade With Reds". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 15. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Bresnahan Fired As Card Leader". The Buffalo Commercial. October 23, 1912. p. 6. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Baseball To Have Temporary Revival Beginning Tomorrow". The Washington Times. December 8, 1912. p. 18. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Huggins Chosen To Manage Cards For 1913 Season". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 4, 1912. p. 14. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Roger Bresnahan Will Exchange Ironclad Contract for Bank Roll". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. January 6, 1913. p. 12. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Mrs. Britton And Husband Testify In Suit For Stock". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 29, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Woman Wins Baseball Suit; Mrs. Helene H. Britton Now Completely Controls St. Louis Nationals". The New York Times. May 21, 1912. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  23. "Steininger Resigns". The Washington Herald. June 4, 1912. p. 8. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "J. C. Jones To Preside Over St. Louis Nationals". Buffalo Evening News. June 5, 1912. p. 13. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "J. C. Jones Is Ousted". The Boston Globe. February 9, 1913. p. 14. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. O'Connor, W.J. (April 23, 1914). "Is There Room In This Big City For Three Clubs?". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 22. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Brittons Will Sell Cards If They Get Price". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 6, 1914. p. 18. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Britton Refused To Grant Option On Cardinal Club". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 23, 1915. p. 16. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Sinclair May Buy St. Louis". The Pittsburgh Press. January 18, 1916. p. 28. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. "Another Deal Said To Be on For the St. Louis Cardinals". The Cincinnati Enquirer. February 15, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ""Card" Owner Asks Divorce". The Kansas City Times. November 18, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Woman Club Owner Defies Her Knockers". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. International News Service. November 19, 1916. p. 34. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Mrs. Helene Britton Granted A Divorce". Knoxville Sentinel. February 13, 1917. p. 16. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. O'Connor, W.J. (December 19, 1916). "New Offer To Buy Cardinals' Stock To Be Made Today". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 20. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "R.L. Hedges Makes Bid for Cardinals' Ball Club; Offer Involves "Others," He Says". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 14, 1916. p. 23. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. "Cardinals' Stand A 'Woodpile,' Hall Writes Magnates". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 12, 1916. p. 20. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. "Offer Of $250,000 For Cardinals Turned Down". The Champaign County News. December 23, 1916. p. 8. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. "Plan To Sell The Cardinals". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. March 2, 1917. p. 8. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. "Trustee Obtains Option On St. Louis Cardinals". The Washington Herald. March 6, 1917. p. 13. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. "Cardinal Owners Pay Part Down". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. May 3, 1917. p. 14. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. Vila, Joe (May 9, 1917). "Tener Summons His Chieftains". The Washington Times. p. 7. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. Grayson, Harry (February 25, 1935). "Rickey Starts With Cardinals $175,000 In Debt; Outlook Dark". Pensacola News Journal. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 2. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. "Mrs. Helene Britton To Wed". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 19, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. "Helene Hathaway Britton Dead; Once Owned St. Louis Cardinals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Associated Press. January 10, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

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