Happy chandler biography

Few 20th-century politicians had a more impressive résumé than Albert Chandler.

Happy'' chandler family tree

American politician and baseball executive who served in the US Senate (–45) and as governor of Kentucky (–39, –59).

Happy'' chandler children

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Albert Benjamin Chandler was born in Corydon, Kentucky on July 14, He was the oldest child of Joseph, a farmer, and Callie (Saunders).

During the course of his political career he served as Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and two terms as Governor of his home state of Kentucky. It can also be argued that few non-players had a greater impact on baseball. His support of Branch Rickey‘s signing of Jackie Robinson to a Brooklyn Dodgers contract helped change professional baseball forever.

This action, as well as the other accomplishments of his six-year term as the second commissioner of major league baseball, warranted induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Chandler could be described as a man of contradictions.

But primarily because he supported Rickey, Chandler alienated some owners, and they voted him out, according to the authors.

He was known for his smile and jovial nature (he picked up the nickname “Happy” in college and it stuck the rest of his life). He could also be ruthless and vindictive, and never forgave those he perceived as enemies.

Chandler grew up in Kentucky during the Jim Crow era, making racial segregation