Seymour Siwoff
From BR Bullpen
Seymour Siwoff (Sy)
- Born November 1, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY USA
- School St. John's University
Seymour Siwoff is a noted statistician for the Elias Sports Bureau. It is often reported that Siwoff founded Elias but this is not true, although he was hired twice by the Elias brothers, who founded the company in 1913. The company began keeping the official statistics for Major League Baseball in 1919.
Originally, Siwoff was hired as a teenager as a runner for the company. After getting a degree at St. John's, serving in World War II, and trying his hand as an accountant, Siwoff rejoined Elias in 1948.
As the Elias brothers reduced their influence in the company, Siwoff gained influence. He negotiated contracts to do the official statistics for the American Football League in 1960, the National Football League in 1961, the National Basketball Association in 1969, and ABC's Monday Night Baseball in 1976.
In addition to overseeing the statistical end of the Elias Sports Bureau, Siwoff has been credited as the editor on many books, most notably baseball's official record book and the American League Red Book and National League Green Book.
Currently, Seymour Siwoff is the dean of the membership of the BBWAA, having been a member since 1952.
