Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis was the first administrator of Major League Baseball, serving from 1920 to 1944. He was appointed to restore integrity and public confidence after the 1919 Black Sox scandal, where players illegally fixed the World Series. Landis was known for his strict discipline and firm stance against gambling and corruption in the sport. His leadership helped to clean up baseball’s image and establish the authority of the commissioner’s office. Despite criticism for his tough approach, his tenure significantly shaped modern baseball governance.