Bill Cammeyer
From BR Bullpen
William Henry Cammeyer
- Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
- Born March 20, 1821 in New York, NY USA
- Died September 4, 1898 in Brooklyn, NY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Bill Cammeyer, born in 1821, was a businessman and entrepreneur who "managed" one year in the new National League. He is credited as a pioneer who put a fence around his ballpark so he could charge admission, he built a clubhouse, he graded the diamond, created a very primitive set of stands for fans, and put a saloon inside the fence.
Cammeyer was born in New York City but moved to Williamsburg (near Brooklyn) around age 20. He worked for his father, a leather merchant, and when his father died he took over the business.
In 1861, Cammeyer saw the potential for a ballpark and leased some land, which he turned into a ballfield in the summer and an ice-skating pond in the winter. It became quite successful.
In 1876, Cammeyer managed the 1876 Mutuals, who played on his field. One source claims he was the business manager only.
Main sources: Bill Cammeyer obituary and the book The Man in the Dugout: Baseball's Top Managers and How They Got That Way.
