Padres press release on passing of Buzzie Bavasi

PADRES MOURN THE LOSS OF FIRST TEAM PRESIDENT

BUZZIE BAVASI

The Padres mourn the loss of the club’s first President, Emil Joseph “Buzzie” Bavasi, who passed away at the age of 93 in San Diego. Bavasi joined C. Arnholt Smith’s effort to bring a National League franchise to San Diego in 1967 and, after securing a team, served as the Padres first president from the club’s inception through 1977. He was inducted into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Breitbard Hall of Fame at the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2007.

“Buzzie was a giant in Padres Baseball history,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Dick Freeman. “His presence in the original Padres ownership and management group was the determining factor in San Diego being awarded a National League franchise. He was a great baseball man. I will always remember him for his unwavering support and his great sense of humor. He was a superb storyteller. I will miss him greatly.”

Bavasi was already a veteran of nearly 30 years in the game of baseball when he joined the effort to bring a Major League club to San Diego. He began his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939, serving in a variety of roles. Following a stint in the military as an infantry machine gunner from 1943-46, Bavasi served as General Manager of the Dodgers Triple-A club in Montreal. In 1951, he was appointed Vice President and General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and held that position with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers until 1968. Additionally, he served as general manager of the California Angels from 1978-84.

During his time with the Padres, Bavasi oversaw both the team’s baseball and business operations. He was a key component in bringing and sustaining the franchise in San Diego, working for two owners, C. Arnholt Smith and Ray Kroc.

Bavasi is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evit, and four sons: Peter, Chris, Bob and Bill; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His son Peter served as the Padres General Manager from 1973-76 and his son Bill is currently the Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations.

Funeral arrangements will be private to the family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), 245 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10167 (212 931-7822) or the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, 9665 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 801, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310-385-4628, www.probaseballscouts.com).